Dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement option for those with missing teeth. If you’ve lost a tooth from gum disease or injury, a dental implant is a great option for replacement. At Freeman Dental, we also use implants to replace missing teeth that are congenitally missing, meaning you were born with that missing tooth. Implants can also be used to replace multiple teeth at once, with a permanent bridge.
Types of Dental Implants
Endosteal Implants
Endosteal implants are the most commonly placed type of implant. They are placed in the jawbone and are made from titanium. Osseointegration is the process through which the implant merges with the jawbone. Once osseointegration has taken place, the dental implant is ready to hold the new tooth.
Subperiosteal Implants
Subperiosteal implants are a type of dental implant that is placed on top of the jaw bone, but underneath the gum line. This type of implant is helpful for patients who have a shallow jawbone and for patients who are missing several teeth in a row. The implant provides a strong, stable foundation for the replacement teeth attached to the fixture.
Mini Dental Implants
Mini dental implants are implant posts that are smaller in diameter than standard implant posts. Mini dental implants are most commonly used to attach a removable denture.
Mini dental implants are a great choice for denture wearers because they can support a denture using as few as two dental implants. They are also a good option for patients with bone recession or weak jawbones.
All-On-4 Dental Implants
All-on-4 dental implants are a type of implant-supported dentures. They are permanent sets of dentures that are attached to four titanium implants. All-on-4 dental implants are a good solution for patients who need a new set of teeth as soon as possible, which is not possible with traditional implant-supported dentures.
Single Tooth Dental Implants
A single tooth implant is placed into the jawbone where the missing tooth once was. Once the implant has healed, it can then be used to support a crown, or a new tooth, that is connected directly to the implant. A single tooth implant is ideal if you are only missing one tooth.
Are Dental Implants Right for Me?
Many patients wonder if dental implants are right for them. Dental implants are a convenient option for patients missing at least one tooth, or even several teeth. They are stable, durable, and can completely restore your smile.
Dental implants allow patients to replace a missing tooth with a prosthetic that looks and functions just like a natural tooth. An implant is an artificial tooth root, made of titanium or zirconia, which is placed into the jawbone and fuses with the natural bone. The implant is then covered with a crown that is designed to match your natural teeth and is color matched to your natural teeth as well.
To understand more about the pros of dental implants, call Freeman Dental at (270) 444-6080 for our Paducah location.
