Exploring Dental Implants: Which Option Suits You Best?

Dental implants are a modern solution for tooth restoration, providing optimal aesthetics and chewing function. However, not everyone fully understands the different types of implants and how to choose the most suitable option for their oral health. In this article, we will explore the most common types of implants available today. Join The East Rose Dental Clinic for a detailed discussion below!

Overview of Dental Implants

A dental implant is a small post made of titanium or other biocompatible materials, surgically placed into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth root. Through the process of osseointegration, the implant integrates with the jawbone, forming a strong foundation for supporting a dental crown, bridge, or fixed denture.

A basic dental implant consists of three main components:

• Implant fixtures: A surgical procedure inserts the main component into the jawbone to function as an artificial tooth root.
• Abutment: The intermediate piece that connects the implant fixture to the dental crown.
• Dental crown: The prosthetic tooth is designed to match the shape and colour of a natural tooth, restoring both function and aesthetics.

Advantages of Dental Implants

Dental implants not only replace missing teeth but also provide significant advantages over dental bridges and removable dentures. With excellent osseointegration, implants ensure a stable and long-lasting chewing function. The following are the key benefits of this procedure:

• Restores natural chewing function: Implants are firmly anchored in the jawbone, allowing for simple chewing without the instability often experienced with removable dentures.
• Prevents jawbone resorption: When a tooth is lost, the lack of chewing stimulation leads to bone deterioration. Implants act as natural tooth roots, helping maintain bone density and preventing facial structure changes.
• High durability, lifelong use: Made from strong titanium with excellent bone integration, implants can last a lifetime with proper care. This is a major advantage over dental bridges or dentures, which typically require replacement after a certain period.
• Enhances aesthetics and provides a natural smile: The dental crown on the implant closely resembles the shape and colour of natural teeth, allowing you to smile confidently without visible signs of restoration, unlike bridges or removable dentures.
• No impact on adjacent teeth: Unlike dental bridges, which require reshaping neighbouring teeth for support, implants are entirely independent and do not compromise surrounding teeth, helping preserve the natural tooth structure.
• Improves speech clarity: Tooth loss or removable dentures can make pronunciation challenging. Implants provide a stable foundation, enabling clearer and more natural speech.
• Enhances comfort and convenience: Removable dentures may cause discomfort, whereas implants fuse with the jawbone like natural teeth, providing a more secure and comfortable experience.

Types of Dental Implants

A wide range of dental implants is available, each tailored to specific cases and treatment goals. Below is an overview of the most commonly used implant types.

Implant All On 4/6

The All-on-4/6 technique is an advanced full-arch restoration method that uses 4 to 6 strategically placed implants in the jawbone to support a full-arch fixed prosthesis. This approach is an ideal choice for patients with complete tooth loss because it minimises the number of implants required and reduces treatment costs. Thanks to its innovative design, All-on-4/6 implants can often be successfully placed even in cases of bone resorption, without the need for bone grafting.

The benefits of this method include stable chewing function, natural aesthetics, and a faster recovery time. However, All-on-4/6 is not suitable for patients with significantly low bone density or severe dental issues.

Transosteal Implant

A transosteal implant is a post that passes through the entire thickness of the lower jawbone and is secured with metal plates on the outer surface of the bone. This is one of the most complex implant procedures, as it requires highly invasive surgery and is typically used for patients with complete lower jaw tooth loss and low bone density. Its primary advantage is its high stability and strong load-bearing capacity. However, due to their technical complexity and high cost, transosteal implants are uncommon and only used in special cases.

Subperiosteal Implant

A subperiosteal implant is a metal framework placed beneath the periosteum but above the jawbone. It is typically recommended for patients with severe bone loss who are not candidates for traditional implants. The key advantage of this implant is that it eliminates the need for bone grafting, thereby shortening treatment time. However, because it does not fully integrate with the bone, it has lower long-term stability and a higher risk of rejection if not properly maintained. Due to the availability of more advanced and reliable alternatives, we rarely use this technique today.

Basal Implant

Basal implants are an optimal solution for patients with severe bone loss who do not want or are unable to undergo bone grafting. Instead of being placed in the alveolar bone, this type of implant is secured in the dense basal bone (cortical bone). The key advantages of this method include no need for bone grafting, quick recovery time, and strong load-bearing capacity. However, the procedure is complex and requires a highly skilled specialist. This is a suitable option for patients who have been edentulous for a long time and have poor jawbone quality.

Pterygoid Implant

The pterygoid implant is a more advanced way to place an implant. The implant fixture is attached to the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone, which is behind the maxilla. This approach is an optimal solution for patients with posterior maxillary edentulism and severe bone resorption, eliminating the need for complex bone grafting or sinus augmentation procedures. The implant is inserted at an angulation of 45°–55°, utilising the dense cortical bone for enhanced primary stability. With its specialised design, the pterygoid implant facilitates rapid functional restoration, reduces treatment durations, and ensures long-term prosthetic success.

Mini implant (mini dental implant—MDI)

A mini implant is a smaller version of a conventional implant, with a diameter of less than 3 mm, reducing surgical invasiveness. This type of implant is commonly used to stabilise removable dentures or restore front teeth.

The biggest advantage of mini implants is their minimally invasive procedure, quick healing time, and lower cost compared to standard implants. 

However, due to their small size, this type has lower durability, cannot withstand strong chewing forces, and is prone to breaking over time. Therefore, widespread recommendations do not favour its use. Mini implants are suitable for cases of minor tooth loss and do not require strong chewing forces.

Selecting the right type of dental implant is not solely based on aesthetic considerations but also depends on jawbone condition, overall oral health, and financial factors. To ensure long-term treatment success, it is essential to consult a dental specialist before making a decision. If you are seeking the most effective dental implant solution, visit The East Rose Dental Clinic for a comprehensive consultation and personalised treatment plan!