Different Dental Implant Systems
There are a number of different dental implant systems available for individuals who are missing one, several, or all of their natural teeth. To determine which dental implant system is best suited to your needs, it will be necessary to first schedule an appointment. At Coastal Jaw Surgery, you can feel confident that you are receiving care from oral health professionals who are at the forefront of oral surgery education and leaders in the fields of periodontal services and implant dentistry.
We also utilize the latest in dental technology to develop an oral surgical plan this is designed to provide you with personalized care and achieve the optimal results following your oral surgical procedure. During your initial consultation, we will perform a thorough examination, which includes taking a full 3D, high-resolution X-Ray of your jaw and bone structure to determine the underlying health and structure of your jawbone and teeth. With this information, we can determine how to best address your specific needs.
To learn more about different dental implant systems, please refer to the following.
Titanium Vs. Zirconia
The most common types of material used for dental implants are titanium and zirconia. Given the differences in characteristics between the two materials, there may be instances when we will recommend one over the other.
Titanium posts have been the industry standard for implants for decades. They are often made of multiple components and the process of completing the dental implant process can take up to several months to complete, whereas zirconia dental implants are made of one piece and are placed in just one procedure. As you consider whether titanium or zirconia dental implants are the best option for you, consider the following:
- What are the odds of developing complications? As with any procedure, there is some small risk of complications developing; however, zirconia implants have a slightly smaller chance of causing complications due to the fact that some people with metal allergies may have an adverse reaction to a titanium post.
- Which one will look better? While both implant types will provide you with a natural looking, aesthetically pleasing smile, zirconia dental implants have an edge over titanium implants. Patients whose gums are thin may especially benefit from eliminating the risk of the metal showing through their gums.
- Which one is more expensive? The cost of zirconia implants is higher than titanium implants. If cost of treatment is a concern for you, please know that we have financing options available.
- Which one is more durable? Both implant types are very durable and can be corrected if they become damaged or cracked.
- How long does each procedure take? Because zirconia dental implants are placed in one visit, you will only have to undergo one healing period, whereas titanium implants will require that you first have the post placed, then wait for several months while the post fuses with your bone, after which you can come back for one final visit to have your permanent crown placed.
- Is one safer than the other? As mentioned earlier, titanium implants may pose some small risk among patients with metal allergies, but both procedures are very safe and FDA approved.
Cement-Retained Vs. Screw-Retained Implants
One important consideration in determining what type of dental implant system is used is whether the implant will be cement or screw-retained. The following will be important to consider when deciding which type of implant to use:
- Cost: Of the two options, cement-retained implants will be slightly less expensive than screw-retained implants. If you would prefer screw retained implants but are concerned about the cost of treatment, please know that we have financing options available.
- Safety: Of the two, screw-retained dental implants are more difficult to place, which means there is a slightly increased risk of there being procedural complications.
- Risks following the procedure: While any implant has some risk of failing or complications developing, there is some chance that the cement used in the cement-retained implant will reach the sulcus, which can result in the implant failing and needing to be removed This risk is eliminated with screw-retained implants.
- Ease of retrievability: We may want to remove and clean your implant crown from time to time, especially if peri-implantitis develops. Of the two implant options, screw-retained implants are much easier to retrieve.
Stock Abutments Vs. Custom Abutments
Patients can either have a stock abutment placed, which is a standard-sized abutment that is designed to be usable for most tissue and bone implants, or a custom abutment, which is designed to meet the unique needs of the individual having the implants placed. Stock-abutments are less expensive than custom abutments, however, they do not provide the same high level of success rate, both in terms of the implant not failing and patient satisfaction. Custom abutments are also more natural looking and comfortable feeling.
Traditional Versus Digital
Thanks to advancements in dental technology, periodontists and lab technicians are now able to fabricate dental implants and crowns that will look and feel just like your natural teeth and place them in such a precise manner that the risk of the implant failing or becoming infected drops dramatically. While older, more traditional approaches for developing a treatment plan for your dental implant placement can be effective, you need to consider how much you are willing to risk when it comes to this procedure. Improperly placed dental implants can cause a number of issues to develop, including a misaligned bite, chronic pain, and failure of the implant itself.
Additional factors to consider when thinking about the importance of having the procedure performed by a clinic with high-tech tools includes:
- Time: Clinics like ours that effectively use newer technologies save you more time. Rather than having to make physical impressions and send those impressions into a lab, new dental technology allows for digital impressions to be taken and immediately sent to a lab.
- More comfortable: Many patients find the experience of having a mold taken of their mouth to be uncomfortable and can even trigger their gag reflex. Digital imaging eliminates this discomfort.
- More accurate: These digital impressions also allow for greater customization to ensure your implant is designed for your specific mouth and makes placement of the dental implants faster and more accurate.
Taking Care of Your Dental Implants
One important thing to keep in mind is that regardless of what type of dental implant system is used to correct your missing teeth, your dental implant needs to be properly taken care of just like your natural teeth. To prolong the lifespan of your dental implants and continue enjoying all the tremendous benefits to your quality of life, make sure that you continue brushing and flossing, eat a well-rounded diet, and continue scheduling regular periodontal exams every six months. Scheduling these exams will give us an opportunity to monitor the status of your dental implants and correct any issues that may develop as quickly as possible.
Dental implant problems are somewhat uncommon, especially when patients practice good oral hygiene habits, however they can occur, so it is important to be aware of common signs that your dental implant may need to be evaluated. The following are the most common reasons dental implant problems occur.
- Infection: An infection may develop following placement of a dental implant, especially if patients do not closely follow aftercare instructions. Signs of an infection include swelling and redness, pain that spreads or intensifies, bleeding or oozing pus, and/or chronic halitosis. If you notice any of these issues, contact our clinic to see if a follow-up appointment is necessary. Infections that occur in the gums may be treated with antibiotics, however infections that occur in the bone may require more serious treatment.
- Loose implant: The first stage in most dental implant procedures is placement of a post into the patient’s jawbone. Once placed, this post will fuse with the jawbone over a period of several months, after which the permanent crown can be placed. Though rare, there are instances when the post does not properly fuse, in which case it will be necessary to remove the post, wait for the area to heal, and attempt the procedure again.
- Tissue/nerve damage: If an implant is placed too close to a nerve, damage can occur. Symptoms of this happening include numbness on the side of the implant, persistent pain, and/or a tingling/tickling or burning sensation of the skin and gums.
- Gum recession: Gum recession can sometimes occur around where the implant was placed. If you have noticed slight gum recession around your implant, contact our office to see if additional treatment is needed, such as a gum graft or Pinhole Surgical Technique.
Contact Us Today
At Coastal Jaw Surgery, we are committed to providing you with quality dental care and making your experience as smooth as possible. To schedule a consultation for dental implants and learn what type of dental implant systems are best suited to your needs, contact us today at (866) 798-5659 or fill out an online form at https://coastaljaw.com/appointment-request/
We look forward to improving your oral health, aesthetic appearance of your smile, and overall quality of life!