Exploring Different Dental Implant Options

For many patients who are missing teeth, dental implants are the best tooth replacement option. Implants replace both the crown and the roots of your teeth. They can last a lifetime, and they look just like natural teeth.

Another big advantage of implants is that you have plenty of options. Dentists and researchers have worked hard to develop new, innovative dental implant technology over the past few decades. The best type of implants will depend on which teeth you are missing, the condition of your jaw bone, and the results you are seeking. Here’s a closer look at some of the most popular implant options.

Standard Dental Implants

Standard dental implants are the type most people think of when they hear the word “dental implant.” Each implant consists of one screw-like piece that is inserted into your jaw bone, plus a replacement crown that sits above your gum line and looks like a normal tooth.

If you are missing a single tooth, or if you’re missing several teeth that are not right next to one another, your dentist is likely to recommend a standard dental implant. The root portion of the implant will help keep neighboring teeth from shifting into the empty space, which will keep your whole mouth healthier over time. Plus, an implant can help you smile with confidence while making it easier and more comfortable to eat your favorite foods.

Implant Overdentures

Traditional dentures have been around for years, but they have several downfalls. They slip around a lot, and they do nothing to keep your jaw bone healthy and stimulated. To avoid these downfalls, many patients are not opting for implant dentures instead. Implant dentures consist of four implants that are inserted into your jaw bone, plus a denture that attaches to those implants.

Over time, patients with implant dentures tend to experience less jaw bone loss than those with traditional dentures. They are better able to maintain their facial structure and appearance. You can still remove the dentures, but you won’t need to use any denture adhesive to keep them in place.

Fixed Implant Dentures

If you are missing all of your teeth, fixed implant dentures are an option to consider. Sometimes you’ll see these advertised as all-on-four implants or all-on-6 implants. They are similar to implant overdentures in that they consist of several implants plus a denture that attaches to those implants. However, with fixed implant dentures, the denture is permanently mounted to the implants. You don’t need to remove it every night for cleaning or storage. Only a dentist can remove it.

Fixed implant dentures are a good idea for patients who don’t want to struggle to insert and remove their dentures every day. They are also effective in preserving and protecting the jaw bone, and they look very natural. Once your mouth is healed, nobody who looks at you will be able to tell your teeth are not natural.

Teeth In a Day

Teeth in a Day is a revolutionary option that allows patients to get dental implants more quickly and with fewer appointments. With standard implants and fixed implant dentures, you’ll need several appointments, spaced a few weeks apart. But with Teeth in a Day, the entire restoration is completed in one visit.

Teeth in a Day can be used to replace multiple missing teeth, or even a single missing tooth. The procedure is efficient, using the latest technology to ensure the implants are located and installed with precision.

Not every patient is a candidate for Teeth in a Day. But if you are a candidate, here are some benefits of choosing Teeth in a Day over other dental restoration options:

• Less Waiting: You won’t have to go back and forth to the dentist several times. You’ll walk out of your appointment with new teeth.
• Better Aesthetics: With Teeth in a Day, you won’t have to walk around with the appearance of having a missing tooth for weeks. You’ll have a natural-looking tooth or teeth in place right away, so you can smile with confidence.
• Clear Speech: Patients often have an easier time speaking clearly after a Teeth in a Day procedure. After all, you rely on your teeth to make certain sounds.
  

If you’re missing teeth or need to have a tooth extracted, contact the experts at West Broad Dental in Falls Church. We can tell you more about these dental implant options and recommend the approach that best fits your dental health and overall goals.