All About the Different Types of Dental Implants
April 1, 2023

Tooth loss is something common, especially for most adults above 30 years. Clearly, old age is no longer the leading cause of tooth loss. Gum disease and cavities have overtaken old age as the leading causes of tooth loss. However, there is a good number of people who have lost their teeth due to direct blows to the mouth.

But aren’t you glad that you live in this day and age? The evolution of dental technology has ensured you can access revolutionary tooth replacements such as dental implants in Morristown, NJ.

Dental implants have restored countless smiles throughout the years since they replace the root and crown. That’s why there’s no other tooth replacement that can beat them.

An Overview of Dental Implants

Dental implants near you aren’t new to the market. In fact, they were invented back in the sixties. But now, they have evolved, so we have several types of implants and implant techniques.

They are tiny, root-sized posts that our dentist surgically inserts into your jawbone. The material used to create them is biocompatible, which means it fuses with your tissues without causing toxicity.

Once the implant fuses with your jawbone, our dentist will place an abutment and a crown. Just like that, you will have a brand new tooth.

What Are the Different Types of Dental Implants?

Dental implants near you can be categorized depending on the following:

Procedure

  • Endosteal Implants

Endosteal implants are the most popular among patients, and dentists usually recommend them. They are the best option for most patients, but the caveat is that you must have healthy gums and jawbones.

The reason for these conditions is our dentist has to insert the implant into the jawbone directly. The implant will not be stable if the jawbone is unhealthy or weak. The procedure will fail.

Endosteal titanium implants have three distinct parts:

  1. Implant (titanium post)
  2. An abutment (the connector that links the artificial teeth to the implant)
  3. Prosthesis (this is the visible part of the implant, which is usually a crown, denture, or bridge)

But if endosteal implants aren’t your cup of tea or you are not eligible to get them, then you can check out the next category.

  • Subperiosteal Implants

The next best option is subperiosteal implants. They are less common than endosteal implants since the implant lies on the bone but just underneath the gum. Then, another titanium post is attached to the implant lying on the jawbone, which protrudes from the gums. The artificial teeth will be secured on the posts.

The subperiosteal implants are ideal for patients whose jawbone lacks the quantity and quality required for holding the implant in place. Our dentist in Morristown might also recommend this type of implant if you don’t wish to undergo bone grafting to bulk up the jawbone.

  • Zygomatic Implants

These are the rarest types of implants. The procedure can be complex since our dentist will place the implant on the cheekbone rather than the jawbone. It is only considered an option when the above two options will not work.

Coating

Dental implants near you can also be classified according to their coating, such as:

  • Zirconia
  • Plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite
  • Plasma-sprayed titanium surface
  • An acid-etched rough surface

Size

There are also other types of dental implants based on their size, such as:

  • The standard platform that is used to replace the anterior teeth
  • The wide platform that our dentist can use to replace the missing back teeth
  • Narrow-body, which is the go-to option when you lack enough room between your teeth to accommodate the normal-sized tooth implants

Abutment Placement

Implants can also be categorized according to abutment placement, such as:

  • External hex connectors
  • Internal hex connectors
  • Internal octagon connectors

What Are Dental Implants Made Of?

The evolution of dental technology has enabled us to have different materials that can create implants. The materials are unique and have their own properties and advantages. However, the main materials that most dental implants are created from are:

  • Titanium is the most common material used to make dental implants because it creates a permanent bond with the jawbone. The material is durable and strong.
  • Zirconia – This is a relatively new discovery and shows a lot of promise. The material gives an alternative for people with metal allergies. Zirconia can also make the dental implant much easier since it offers a one-piece construction as compared to the three-piece construction of titanium-based implants

But as it stands, titanium is still the gold standard for implant materials because it is strong and resistant to wear and corrosion.

In a nutshell, dental implants in Morristown can replace the entire tooth. Contact us at Dental Care of Morristown to schedule an appointment.

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