Because of its longevity, practicality, and cosmetic appeal, dental implants have grown in popularity as a tooth replacement option. There are several kinds of implants designed to satisfy particular requirements for people in West Houston looking for alternatives to replace lost teeth. Being aware of the many kinds of dental implants will help you make an informed decision, regardless of whether you need a full-arch restoration or only one tooth replaced as explained by a family dentist in Memorial City, West Houston. 

Endosteal implant

Endosteal implants are the most common type of dental implant and may be used to replace individual or multiple teeth. Small titanium screws are placed into the jawbone as implants. Once fully submerged into the jaw, these screws bond to the bone and serve as a solid base that replicates an actual tooth root. At the end of a healing period, a crown (single tooth replacement), bridge, or denture is screwed/removed to and fro on an implant spire restoring what can be near 100% original function.

Subperiosteal Implants

Subperiosteal implants are often for patients who have experienced significant bone loss in the jaw that might prevent them from otherwise qualifying as candidates for endosteal implants without receiving additional procedures. These are not directly put into the bone, like endosteal implants but rather fitted onto and rest on top of the jawbone under your gum tissue. A crown or bridge is attached to a metal framework, which sits on the bone and helps stabilize it without actually needing to fuse with the bone itself.

All-on-4 Implants (Full-Arch Replacement)

All-on-4 implants are a revolutionary gift for people who have lost one whole arch of teeth. This paradigm shift utilizes only four implants specifically and perfectly attached in the mouth to stabilize a full milling denture. The back of the mouth typically receives two implants which are placed at an angle so they can catch as much bone surface area, even if there is a large void or low density in areas.

Mini Implants:

Mini Dental Implants are smaller in size compared to traditional implants and they are commonly used with lower-arch dentures. Mini implants are much smaller than standard implants and usually only require less invasive procedures to be placed into the jaw. For patients with low bone density, this can be empowering as there might not need to be a lot of work done on the jawbone beforehand.

Zygomatic Implants:

Zygomatic implants are an alternative solution for patients with significant bone loss in the upper jaw, as they anchor into the zygomatic instead of regular external maxillary bones. By utilizing the zygomatic bone, this technique eliminates the need to have a bone graft which is required by most patients requiring dental implants in their upper jaws. It is a longer implant and requires specialized placement, but it allows patients with extreme bone loss to enjoy the benefits of dental implants.

Single Tooth Replacements (Single-Tooth Implants)

The most suitable approach is to replace a single missing tooth, without affecting the neighboring teeth. Unlike traditional bridges, which necessitate that adjacent teeth be filed down so they can serve as the anchors for a new artificial tooth, single-tooth implants replace only the unoccupied space. In this process, a single piece of titanium is used for replacing the tooth roots and as an anchor providing strength, followed by healing in which procedure it is placed surgically.

Dental implants, which provide a wide range of alternatives that may be tailored to meet specific needs, have revolutionized the way we replace missing teeth. There is probably an implant option that may help you restore a self-assured, functioning smile, regardless of whether you are missing a single tooth or a complete arch. You may investigate the advantages of each type and choose the one that best suits your lifestyle and health with the help of an experienced implant specialist.