When it comes to missing or damaged teeth, dental implant restorations are one of today's most recommended solutions. In this procedure, a titanium rod is installed into the jaw and fitted with a crown, known as a restoration, in place of any missing teeth. Implants are an appealing alternative to dentures or bridges due to their permanence, comfort and aesthetic appeal. With so many types to choose from, it is essential to consult a dental professional when evaluating which is appropriate.
Before a prosthetic can be placed, it needs a base to hold it firmly in place. During a consultation, diagnostic 3D-imaging can help determine the available bone structure, the position of the tooth or teeth to restore, and the severity of the damage. This helps a dentist decide which implant procedure is appropriate.
Dental implant restorations are traditionally installed in two surgeries. During the first, a titanium base is mounted in the jaw. After allowing three to six months for osseointegration, the process of bone fusing to the metal, an abutment is fitted to the base. A custom restoration is crafted to match. While these have historically been made of gold or porcelain-fused-to-metal, improvements in computer-assisted design and modeling have made zirconia with a porcelain finish a more popular material.
Today, immediate load dental implants are an alternative for many patients. By adding the abutment and a temporary prosthetic when the base is installed, the surgical process is reduced to a single day. A custom permanent restoration is affixed after a few weeks. While this is a preferable alternative for most patients, the smaller diameter of the rods require sufficient bone density for support. Significant bone deterioration can necessitate a traditional procedure or even a bone augmentation process. A consultation can determine the appropriate route to a sturdy smile.
The prosthetic is attached in one of two ways. Screw-retained restorations are affixed with a series of screws, while cement-retained restorations are cemented into an abutment and attached to the structure with a screw. Cement-retained restorations are easier to seat in hard-to-reach areas and are believed to better absorb shock, but they pose a risk of peri-implant tissue damage when removing excess cement. Hence, screw-retained restorations are a better option for most patients. They are easier to remove when a replacement is required, and with the advancement of porcelain fused to zirconia, screws no longer show through the material. Ultimately, a dental professional can make an appropriate recommendation for a patient's mouth.
Depending on a patient’s unique needs there may be other preferable options, such as using fewer screws to hold a full arch of dentures, or mini dental implants, a less-invasive option with smaller screws to hold a lower denture. Subperiosteal implants, which are not placed as deep into the jaw, are used in rare cases when bone augmentation is not suitable.
Advancing technology offers a number of options for replacing missing teeth. The type of dental implant restoration right for each patient should be determined with the help of a dental professional.
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