There are several methods of replacing missing teeth, but none as comprehensive or truly holistic as dental implants. Unlike other reconstruction methods for oral damage, implant surgery offers a permanent solution to missing teeth that requires no extra care beyond the dental care you should be performing each day anyway.
Quite simply, dental implants are the next best thing to your natural teeth. They are the ideal form of tooth replacement because they look and function exactly like a natural tooth – both the crown and the implant “root”. Dental implants are artificial teeth set on posts that are surgically implanted into your jawbone. They are not removable like dentures and bridges, and require none of the extra care that often comes with these more traditional solutions.
Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth or even a set of teeth. In some cases, they can even be used for full mouth reconstruction. The main drawback to dental implants is their cost — they are the most expensive option for tooth replacement. However, their advantages in permanence, appearance, and function are well worth it, and their longevity means the cost averages out over time.
So, what exactly are these dental implants, what do they require, and are they the right option for you?
What are Dental Implants?
The term “dental implant” is actually a little misleading, because it consists of three main components. Only one of these is the actual implant, but the three components are:
- Implant body: replaces the root of the missing tooth, in the form of a screw that attaches to your jaw and fuses with it over time.
- Abutment: acts as a connector between the implant and the crown, located at the gum line.
- Crown: the visible and functional part of the prosthetic tooth, made of porcelain or zirconium, and is the cosmetic part of the entire thing, since it’s what is visible.
The replacement tooth root is the actual implant, and it’s installed in the jaw in the area of the missing tooth. Put simply, it’s like a screw that goes in permanently and serves as a base for the rest of the replacement tooth.
Your jaw will fuse to this new root, stabilizing the implant, the bone, and the surrounding teeth. It’s as close to how your mouth was before your tooth or teeth went missing, and because it feels just like it used to, implants are often the preferred option when compared to alternatives like dentures.
If you have chronic dental problems or missing teeth, a dental implant acts like an anchor. They don’t slip as dentures might, and don’t create any discomfort while eating. Since they replace the root and halt jaw deterioration and shifting, dental implants simply can’t be matched by bridges or dentures.
They last for decades, and look and function just like natural teeth, making them a holistic way to replace teeth should you ever need to. The only real downside is cost, especially since some insurance firms refuse to acknowledge that they’re not a cosmetic procedure.
Types of Dental Implants
There are several types of dental implants, and what you get will generally depend on your specific situation. Your oral surgeon will explain your options given the health of your jaw, the number and placement of your missing teeth, and your budget. The types of dental implants are:
- Endosteal: These are the standard type of dental implant, where the post is surgically placed in the jaw. Patients need decent jaw integrity to have this kind of implant surgery, and occasionally a bit of bone grafting is done prior in order to ensure the implant integrates.
- Subperiosteal: These implants are for patients without the jaw integrity to have the implant screwed into their bone. Instead, the dental implant is placed deep in the gums, at the jaw line, and then anchored so that it stays in place.
- Zygomatic: This is the least common dental implant surgery and is reserved for cases where upper teeth need reconstruction, but there is no way the jaw will hold an implant. In this case, the implants are anchored into the lower cheekbones, which is a much more invasive procedure.
Depending on your situation, the oral surgeon may schedule healing time between the installation of the implant root and the attachment of the abutment and crown. This gives the jawbone time to stabilize the implant.
However, we do offer same-day dental implants to healthy patients who are eligible, so get in touch if you’re anywhere in or around Cincinnati!
Titanium vs Ceramic vs Mini Dental Implants
Titanium dental implants are the industry standard. Titanium has long been used in orthopedic (bone) installations, because the body typically won’t reject it, and bone has no issue healing around it and fusing with it. This is called biocompatibility. Even people with immune issues or other sensitivities often have success with titanium dental implants.
Ceramic dental implants, which some people consider a more holistic tooth replacement option, are also known as zirconia dental implants. Zirconium is a transitional metal, and is processed into zirconium dioxide, or Zirconia, which is a ceramic. Zirconia dental implants match, if not slightly exceed, titanium implants with regard to biocompatibility and the ability to integrate with the jaw. If you’re allergic or even sensitive to metals, ceramic dental implants are a great option.
Here are some areas where titanium dental implants shine in comparison to ceramic:
- Titanium implants tend to last longer.
- Titanium implants are less likely to degrade and break.
- Titanium implants are proven to last several decades without incident.
- Titanium implants may have a smaller diameter.
Meanwhile, Zirconia or ceramic dental implants have several advantages over titanium as well:
- Zirconia implants have better flexion abilities.
- Zirconia implants don’t have that dark line at the abutment.
Mini dental implants, on the other hand, are exactly like what they sound: smaller dental implants. These are the newest developments in dental implant technology and allow patients with less jaw integrity the opportunity to undergo a dental implant successfully.
Since they haven’t been around very long, we still don’t have a clear understanding of their longevity. They have, however, been observed to break more often than standard-sized titanium implants.
Hybrid Tooth Implant Options for Complicated Cases
A less common option for prosthetic tooth implants is an implant-anchored bridge or denture. These are often used for people who don’t have the jaw health to handle several dental implants. After all, a few implants are better than none!
We can complete a full mouth reconstruction with just 4 implant anchors on a complete set of dentures. We can also anchor a sizeable bridge with just 2 implants, one at either end. While not completely stabilizing, these partial implant restoration solutions do more to preserve the health of your teeth and jaw than traditional dentures or tooth-anchored bridges.
What to Expect with Dental Implant Surgery
Most of the time, implant surgery is a two-step process. The initial surgery routinely removes the involved tooth or teeth, if they’re not already lost. Bone grafting is often performed at this time to prepare the site or sites for upcoming implant placement and to preserve bone volume.
The second step is placement, followed by a healing time of two to four months to allow the implant and the bone to integrate. If you’re one of our patients, our oral surgeon, Dr. Puckett, will then coordinate the crown (restorative phase) with your dentist.
Getting dental implants is an exercise in patience, because it can last 6 months to a year, depending on the extent of the reconstruction and the health of the patient. However, with advances in technology, holistic oral surgery methods have emerged: we’re talking about same-day dental implants.
For patients needing replacement but with otherwise good oral health and bone integrity, the first two steps of the dental implant process can be performed at the same time. Since tooth removal and implant placement can be performed simultaneously, you save about three months in the implant process and minimize the number of necessary oral surgeries.
Placing Prosthetic Teeth Requires a Team Approach
Dental implants demand an integrated approach. Our oral surgeon, Dr. Puckett, coordinates the plan with your dentist and maintains communication throughout the process. Stephanie, our implant coordinator, is highly trained and experienced in making the implant experience seamless. She’ll alleviate any concerns you have about dental implant surgery.
As one of our implant patients, you’ll receive a personalized treatment plan and a written diagram of the steps involved. Your dentist will also receive a copy of the diagram and the clinical note of the initial consultation so that they can remain fully informed.
In fact, your dentist will get written updates from us at each step of the process. As a service to you as well as your referring dentist, our office provides the impression pin used to make the crown. This way, your dentist won’t need to order another part for your implant. We’ll usually handle the dental implant surgery (installation of the titanium or zirconia “root”) before your dentist takes over the installation of the actual crown (fake tooth).
Why We Recommend Zirconia Dental Implants for Some Patients
We offer our patients the option of zirconia dental implants, the only ceramic tooth prostheses on the market. Some people don’t want metal in their mouths, so they choose zirconia implant roots. Others with extreme metal sensitivities may choose them to minimize the risk of complications. The aesthetic of zirconia dental implants is also worth considering because the ceramic color at the gum line looks more natural than titanium, which can peek out and reveal a dark line at the gums.
However, ceramic tooth roots aren’t for everyone. Zirconia dental implants are more expensive than traditional titanium implants. And though they’ve been around for a couple of decades in oral and maxillofacial medicine, that’s really not long at all. As a result, there isn’t enough information on how zirconia dental implants hold up over the long term, although the current signs are extremely promising.
The Logistics of Comprehensive Tooth Reconstruction
Dental implants are the costliest option for tooth replacement, but for good reason. They’re the only permanent, comprehensive way to replace the function of a tooth inside and out. However, there are several measures our office in Ohio takes to make dental implant surgery more cost-effective for our patients:
- We work closely with your dental insurance to advocate for coverage of the procedure(s).
- Our billing rate is limited to the value of the service(s) performed, so the surgery stays affordable.
- Our method for charging anesthesia is based only on minutes used instead of rounding up into 15 or 30-minute increments, which is typically the industry standard.
- We offer our patients a zero-interest payment plan to spread the expense out.
This way, we’re able to save our patients between $300-$800 per implant!
Proper Aftercare for Your New Dental Implants
We can get you all the way to a totally restored, beautiful, and healthy smile with our holistic dental implant surgery techniques, but how well you recover from there is largely up to you. Don’t worry; we’re available for questions, concerns, issues, and any emergencies, but there are steps you can take to make sure your recovery from the implant procedures goes smoothly:
- In the first 24 hours, use ice on and off to reduce swelling.
- Avoid hard foods the first week and be careful with hard foods in that area of your mouth until fully healed.
- Avoid hot and cold foods for the first week.
- Avoid spicy and acidic food and drink for the first week.
- Sleep with a bite guard until the implant is healed.
- Make sure to finish the full course of antibiotics your oral surgeon prescribed.
- Don’t smoke.
If you’ve chosen to use our 10-day homeopathic prep and recovery kit for your dental implant surgery, make sure you stay consistent with the directed regimen. Starting 3 days before your procedure and continuing for 7 days after, this kit reduces discomfort, optimizes healing, prevents infection, and speeds recovery.
If you think dental implants might be the best option for your full mouth restoration, schedule a consultation with our oral surgeon. And don’t forget to ask our office about how we make dental implant surgery affordable by saving our patients $300-$800 per tooth.
