Once you know what an implant is and how it works , the next question is: what types of implant-retained prostheses are available, and which one is suitable for you?
Fixed Prostheses
Implant-retained crowns and bridges are known as “fixed” prostheses. Why? Because they’re fixed in place on top of the implant and cannot be removed by the patient.
Implant-retained crowns can be used to replace a single tooth, or several single teeth, in different areas of the mouth. They may offer a superior functional and aesthetic outcome to partial dentures, which need to be removed every night and can be uncomfortable.
They also tend to be more predictable than resin-retained bridges, which can often de-
bond and fall out—leading to an embarrassing and stressful rush to the dental office to stick them back in. Implant crowns also avoid the need to drill down neighboring teeth in the way that conventional dental bridges do, and therefore reduce the risk of compromising other teeth for the sake of replacing the missing one.
Implant-retained bridges can replace several missing teeth in one or more areas of the mouth. They involve placing two or more implants in the jawbone, upon which an implant bridge consisting of multiple teeth units can then be cemented or screwed.
Removable Prostheses
Implant-retained removable dentures are an excellent solution for patients who struggle to wear traditional complete dentures, which can often be loose and challenging.
Removable implant dentures click onto several implant abutments (usually four, otherwise known as the “All-On-Four” approach). They offer vastly superior stability to traditional dentures, ensuring that patients can have the confidence to speak, laugh and eat without worrying about them falling out or moving.
For patients with significant bone and gum shrinkage, implant hybrid dentures can mimic and replace both the missing natural teeth and the missing gum tissue.
Full Arch / “All-On-Four”
As mentioned above, the “All on Four” system involves four dental implants that are strategically placed in the upper or lower jaw bone. These implants can then be loaded with an implant bridge or implant denture. This treatment approach offers a relatively cost-effective option compared to multiple individual implant crowns for replacing an entire arch of missing teeth.
Teeth in a Day
For some surgically suitable patients, the implants can be loaded with a provisional prosthesis as soon as they have been placed within the bone. This eliminates the problem of waiting several months with missing teeth while the implant fully integrates and the surgical site heals. Once the entire osseointegration process is complete, this provisional prosthesis is replaced with a definitive one.
Want to learn more about the types of implant dentistry available and determine which may be suitable for you? Contact us today to book a consultation and begin your journey to a new smile.
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