Tooth loss is no joke. If a missing tooth goes untreated, the jawbone’s density slowly begins to dwindle through a process called resorption due to the lack of stimulation in that area from chewing. Thankfully, dental implants are the best, most effective tooth replacement. They stop resorption from continuing and get the patient’s oral health back on track.
Just like most things in life, though, dental implants aren’t a one-size-fits-all deal, and there are plenty of effective implants for tooth replacement. Exactly which dental implants work best depends on the patient’s mouth structure, composition, and personal preferences. Let’s take a comprehensive look at the different kinds as well as the materials implants are made of.
The Two Types of Placements for Dental Implants
One way to categorize dental implants is by placement, and there are two different options you could expect to encounter.
Endosteal Implants are the Golden Standard for Tooth Replacements
Endosteal tooth implants are placed directly in the jawbone. The titanium post typically has a screw-like shape that neatly slots right into the bone. Over time, through osseointegration, the post directly fuses with the jawbone.
Endosteal implants are given to patients with sufficient (but not necessarily perfect) bone density that allows their jawbones to withstand the oral surgery. Scientific evidence suggests that this is the optimal type of dental implant in the context of placement, so it’s definitely the way to go if your jaw can handle it.
Subperiosteal Implants are the Alternative Option
Subperiosteal implants are placed on top of the jawbone and under the gum tissue. These are not nearly as common as endosteal implants nowadays when replacing teeth, but they have their place in the industry.
Patients who present with drastic bone loss in the jaw are typically given subperiosteal implants. Because of their placement, they don’t stimulate the jawbone. That’s a danger if your jaw is in bad shape, since it can lead to further bone deterioration.
These dental implant tooth replacements must be cleaned diligently and regularly. Since they sit right under the gum tissue, the implant can create pockets where bacteria thrive and multiply. Thankfully, these aren’t used a ton, and more than most patients will end up with the far superior method of replacing missing teeth, endosteal implants.
The Materials Used for Tooth Implants
The best tooth implants have to be made out of something, right? Look no further than the two tried-and-true materials used in creating long-lasting dental tooth replacements. Titanium has been the standard for decades, with ceramic—or zirconia—implants gaining traction in recent years as a newer, widely accepted material. But how do they stack up against each other?
Titanium Teeth Replacements Have Long Been the Standard
Dental implants made out of titanium are considered the single best tooth replacement material available. They’re completely biocompatible, and decades of clinical success have shown that titanium is an extremely dependable material. Titanium implants are durable, predictable, and they’re also typically a cheap dental implant option compared to zirconia.
When it comes to the best implants for missing teeth, it doesn’t get much better than titanium. The titanium post directly fuses to the jawbone, creating a sturdy and stable foundation. With proper care and upkeep, these durable implants can last for multiple decades.
The only major drawback is the potential aesthetic concern. It’s barely noticeable, but since the post is metal, it can sometimes show as a grayish color through the bottom of the gums. Additionally, though rare, titanium allergies aren’t unheard of. In this case, the patient might be recommended to stick with zirconia tooth replacements.
Dental Implants Made from Zirconia Are Rising in Popularity
A relative newcomer to the dental scene, zirconia tooth implants are made entirely from durable ceramic and are a completely holistic option for tooth replacement. Zirconia implants are probably the best dental tooth replacement for patients who want white implants that’ll match the rest of their teeth near-perfectly.
Zirconia also has a reputation for being a cleaner material than titanium, reducing the likelihood of plaque buildup that can lead to infection. However, there are a few drawbacks to zirconia as a material. Due to its specialized manufacturing and the fact that it’s not as widely available as titanium, zirconia comes with a higher out-of-pocket cost compared to cheaper methods of tooth replacement.
There’s also not quite as much long-term scientific data proving its effectiveness over time. While the available data is incredibly promising, studies show that ceramic tooth implants might not be quite as durable as their titanium counterparts.
Choosing the Right Dental Implants for You
At the end of the day, the best dental implant depends entirely on the patient’s individual needs. While the most popular tooth replacements tend to be titanium endosteal dental implants, there might be a case where a subperiosteal implant made out of zirconia is the best option.
Whether you get a subperiosteal or an endosteal implant will likely depend on the health of your jaw, while the choice between titanium and zirconia could be either a cosmetic matter or a budgetary one. Either way, if you’re looking for quality dental implants done by experienced oral surgeons, our Wilmington office is just a phone call away.
