This blog post tells about the different common types of dental implant procedures and their advantages.
Tooth loss is a condition that doesn’t just result in a change in appearance. In fact, missing multiple teeth can also affect occlusion and chewing, decrease the taste of food, and lead to new dental problems and the loss of other teeth.
Dental implants and artificial teeth are therefore an increasingly common option for those looking to replace their missing teeth.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a method of the replacement of a tooth and consists of installing a screw, usually made of titanium, into a hole in the jawbone, replacing the root of the lost tooth. It is a regular dental treatment plan for a missing single tooth or even more than one.
A crown or bridge is then attached to the screw, which takes on the function of the tooth root and is inserted into the jawbone. The tooth crown is usually made of porcelain and is color matched to the neighboring teeth.
The result is a very aesthetic and hardly or not at all noticeable artificial tooth. Dental implants in Turkey are usually placed under local anesthesia.
How do the different types of dental implants differ?
The difference between the types of implants lies mainly in their shape, the material used and their specific application.
For example, some patients may need bone grafting prior to dental implant surgery if their jawbone is insufficient to support the implant. Some of the patients may also need a sinus augmentation (sinus lift).
The choice of the implant depends on the result of the transplantation, the dental check-up and the assessment of the dentist.
In general, there are three types of dental implants:
- Mini implants,
- One-piece implants, and
- Two-piece dental implants.
Implants in the form of a single body are rarely used. Two-piece implants, where the implant and abutment are separate, are much more common.
What specific types of dental implants are there?
Implant shapes
Screw implants
As the name suggests, the screw-shaped implant resembles a self-made screw. This screw type is the most commonly used screw type and largely dominates the dental implantology market.
Its specific design in the form of a screw enables secure insertion into the jawbone thanks to the thread. Thus, the dental implant can safely grow together with the tissue.
Two main types of threads are used for these implants:
- The self-tapping thread: This allows the implant to create its own passage in the bone and thus adapt better to the different bone structure of the patient.
- The normal thread: Unlike the self-tapping thread, this type of implant requires prior preparation of the bone of the missing tooth. The dentist begins by drilling a cavity (hole) in the bone. The implant is inserted into this cavity. The normal thread makes it possible to permanently fix an implant and avoid shifts.
Hollow cylindrical implants
The wall of the hollow cylindrical implant is smooth. It has the advantage of offering a large contact surface with the bone, allowing better osseointegration.
The installation takes place in several steps and requires careful preparation. After preparing a cavity in the bone, the implant is inserted using a form-fitting surgical method.
To choose the type of dental implant, the dentist considers several factors, such as the position of the implant or the amount and quality of available bone.
Materials
The use of biocompatible materials is an essential requirement for the production of a dental implant. The most commonly used materials today are titanium and ceramic. They enable good osseointegration and thus ensure the stability and functionality of the dental implant.
The requirements for implant materials are high. On the one hand, the implants must be able to withstand high loads (chewing pressure), but they must also be well tolerated by the body (biocompatibility). In addition, the material must bond well with the bone (osseointegration) to ensure lasting stability.
Titanium implants
Titanium implants are currently the most common in the world. In fact, thanks to its excellent osseointegration, corrosion resistance and high biocompatibility, titanium allows the creation of implants that are very well tolerated by patients.
Modern commercially available pure titanium implants are therefore biologically well tolerated and osseointegrate quickly, they grow together with the bone. Thanks to a particularly structured surface, they can be made even more compatible.
Titanium implants anchor particularly well in the jawbone. They can be loaded more quickly after being inserted, sometimes even on the day of the operation, and they heal faster than ceramics.
Ceramic implants
The high-quality, metal-free dental implant made of zirconium oxide ceramic is also a biocompatible alternative to titanium implants and contributes to a better quality of life through improved aesthetics.
Dental implants meet several aesthetic and functional requirements from both the dentist’s and the patient’s point of view. The white color of the ceramic implant resembles the color of natural teeth and is therefore not conspicuous.
In addition, zirconium oxide is completely metal-free, biocompatible and therefore does not trigger any allergic or intolerance reactions.
This type of implant is widely used in the visible area of the front jaw for aesthetic reasons and is now usually made of titanium dioxide, a modern and very efficient material, a very resistant and very stable ceramic.
Also note that ceramic integrates much more slowly into bone and cannot be used for immediate loading of implants.
Insertion type
Endosteal implants
Endosteal means “found in bone” and describes implants that are placed directly into the jawbone in place of the natural roots of teeth. Endosseous implants account for the majority of implants manufactured over the last few decades.
The dentist checks the density and size of the jawbone before placing a bone implant. In case of bone loss, it is possible to perform bone grafting before starting implant placement.
Subperiosteal implants
Subperiost means under the bone membrane (periosteum). These implants are therefore not placed in the jawbone, but screwed onto the surface of the bone, below the gum line. This way the tooth comes out of the gum and there was no need to make a slit along the jawbone.
They are rare in dentistry and are mainly used when the patient has a significant loss of bone substance.
Basal implants
“Basal” means “pointing down or toward the base” and generally characterizes rather flat implants that are not inserted directly into the bone, but laterally.
When the bone is rather shallow, this type of implant comes into play as it is significantly flatter than regular implants. Due to the large contact surface, this type of implant can usually be loaded immediately. BASAL implants often include plate implants and subperiosteal implants.
Bulbous or pterygoid implants
Pterygoid implants or tubular implants are a good way to fix the implants stably to the upper jaw bone, especially in the case of severe jaw bone loss (atrophy).
In this way, even toothless jaws can be equipped with stable teeth. However, pterygoid or tuberosity implants should only be used by experienced surgeons.
Zygomatic implants
Why choose Cosmedica Dental for dental implants?
When you decide to have dental implants placed at Cosmedica Dental, you are making an informed decision for several reasons.
In fact, the Cosmedica team puts the safety and well-being of the patients at the center of their care. Every step, from the initial treatment to the placement of the implants, is carried out with impeccable precision to guarantee the best possible results.
In addition, the Cosmedica Dental team works closely with reputable suppliers such as Nobel Biocare to ensure the use of the best implants available on the market.
Professional dentists can understand your situation, assess the condition of your jaw and provide you with fixed dentures or removable dentures based on your needs.
Cosmedica Dental offers you excellence in implantology with a dedicated team dedicated to restoring your smile with the highest standards of quality and care. That is why many international patients decide to get their dental treatment in Turkey since many years.
FAQs - Types of dental implants
The difference between the types of implants lies mainly in their shape, the material used and their specific application. For example, some patients may need bone grafting prior to dental implant surgery if their jawbone is insufficient to support the implant.