Types of Implants
How many teeth are missing? What is the degree of bone loss? Are the remaining teeth in a good position and do they have a long-term prognosis? What does the patient expect for an end result? What treatment will result in the best cosmetic outcome? What is the patient’s budget? Overall…what is the most practical and feasible implant treatment that will produce optimal chewing function and optimal cosmetic results in a timely and affordable manner? Answers to these questions will determine the type of implants to be used, what degree of bone grafting will be necessary and whether the implant-supported teeth will be fixed crowns which are not removable by the patient or a sophisticated snap-on prosthetic denture which the patient can remove for cleaning purposes.
Although there are two types of implants, “in-the-bone” and “on-the bone”, in most cases “in-the-bone” is the most viable option because of the options available in bone grafting. “On-the-bone” implants are only used in the most extreme cases. However, both types are comprised completely of inert materials (i.e. titanium) which are bio-compatible with the human body. Both types can be restored with man-made teeth.
Nationwide the most common type of implant being placed today is the endosseous (in-the-bone) or root-form implant. This implant type is manufactured in a variety of widths, lengths and styles to allow the doctor to choose the most appropriate size implant for each site to be implanted. Following are various styles of cylinder in-the-bone implants available for implant treatment.
Generally speaking, this practice will utilize the root-form implant to replace a single missing tooth or areas of missing teeth when sufficient bone is present or sufficient bone can feasibly and practically be obtained through bone grafting procedures. Treatment begins with Stage One which is the surgical placement of the implant(s) into the jaw bone and the gum tissue being closed over the implants. A root-form case with no bone grafting will normally take approximately four months to complete both the surgical and restoration phases. Those cases that require bone grafting (see TRAM™ and sinus bone grafting) can take as long as six, nine or twelve months from beginning to end. The majority of this time the implant(s) will remain below the surface of the gum tissue while the bone grows and bonds to the implant(s), a process known as “osseointegration”. Once the healing process has taken place, Stage Two, a second, minor surgery (”uncovering”) will be performed to expose the implant(s) so that the new fixed teeth (non-removable by the patient) can be fabricated and delivered. In most cases, temporary teeth will be worn by the patient until the implant(s) are ready to receive the final teeth. (Note: in some cases, One-Stage implants can be utilized. These implants are comprised of the artificial tooth root as well as the abutment post [all one piece]. Since this implant is not buried in the bone during the healing period; and therefore, it does not need a second surgery to uncover.)