If you’re in the earliest stages of considering dental implants in Fort Worth or Dallas, it can be overwhelming to read about all of the types of implants and denture treatments out there. Much like purchasing a vehicle, there are various makes and models to choose from. Even between dental implant manufacturers, the overall shape, material, size, and design of implants can vary.
To make it easier to choose the type of dental implants or implant denture that’s best for your needs, here are the most popular styles you’ll probably hear or read about:
Traditional Type of Implants
Tried and true traditional dental implants make up the majority of our DFW implant treatments. These biocompatible, tooth-sized restorations are crafted to function like anatomical tooth roots. Once they’re set into your bone, they can support an immense amount of pressure. That’s why they work perfectly whether you’re only replacing one tooth with a crown, several teeth (paired with a bridge), or to anchor a full-arch prosthesis. In fact, as few as 4-6 implants in total can restore all of your upper or lower teeth.
Traditional dental implants have an extremely high success rate and are capable of lasting a lifetime. When you partner with one of our DFW implant specialists for your treatment, you’ll know that it’s possible to get the best outcome from your investment.
Today’s traditional implants are regarded as the “gold standard” when it comes to replacing missing teeth. Especially since they don’t impact adjacent healthy teeth and promote healthy bone structure in their immediate vicinity. You’re preserving your smile and your overall facial profile!
Mini Dental Implants
Mini dental implants are popular with people who want same day implants or don’t qualify for a full implant design. However, they should only be used on a case-by-case basis. Due to their much smaller size, mini implants don’t provide the same level of integrity or support as a full implant does. That being said, they’re frequently used to stabilize a removable overdenture when the bony ridge is too thin for a full implant. Some people can also place them at the lower front part of their smile, for single-tooth restoration when a full implant won’t fit.
Zygomatic Dental Implants
Not everyone qualifies for dental implants. If there’s an excessive amount of bone loss to the point that very little “ridge” is left in the upper jaw, there will not be anywhere to install them. In more extreme circumstances, zygomatic dental implants allow for a modified treatment option that utilizes the bone in the arches of your cheeks. These implants are quite longer than traditional designs and placed at angles in the mouth. While zygomatic implants aren’t used to replace individual teeth, they can anchor larger full-mouth restorations.
Ceramic Dental Implants
In rare occasions there may be a need to place a dental implant where the gingiva (gums) is exceptionally thin, or even when there’s a concern that the tissues will recede. For that reason, some implant developers came up with a design that’s made of tooth-colored ceramic instead of the traditional titanium. Although it works a little differently than a typical implant, these designs provide cosmetic insurance when there’s a significant concern that the implant could ever become exposed for one reason or another.
Implant Stabilized Dentures (Overdentures)
This implant treatment combines the support of dental implants with a traditional denture design. Even though your denture is removable and looks nearly identical to a classic “plate”, it has special locators on the underside of it. These unique attachments allow your denture to snap or clip onto the corresponding dental implants. That way you can avoid the need for any messy adhesives or denture strips.
All-on-Four Dentures
When you need to replace all of your teeth at one time and want a permanent implant design, All-on-Four implants DFW are probably your top pick. With an All-on-Four treatment we use four strategically placed implants at key points in your arch. From there, a hybrid appliance is permanently attached on top of the implants. This prosthesis isn’t as thin as a traditional dental bridge, but it’s much more streamlined than a traditional denture. It only follows the curve of your arch of teeth and doesn’t cover the roof of your mouth. Once it’s installed, it’s not going anywhere!
All-on-Six Dentures
People who don’t qualify for All-on-Four dentures may do better with six implants supporting their prosthesis, instead of four. An All-on-Six appliance simply incorporates two extra implants but otherwise looks identical to All-on-Four treatments. The additional implants provide added stability for those who require it.
Teeth in a Day
Beware of implants that are advertised as “teeth in a day”. Rushing through the implant placement, integration, and restoration phases could set you up for failure. Since implants require time to fuse with the bone around them, applying biting pressure too soon could jeopardize your investment. However, there are safe ways to provide an interim same-day prosthesis so that you never have to be seen with missing teeth!
Affordable Dental Implants
For affordable dental implants, you’ll want to work with an implant specialist who is skilled at what they’re doing. From the number of implants they’re placing in your mouth to the final prosthesis design, your investment will be one that pays off for decades to come. Selecting the best implant provider will mean you’re protecting your investment and getting more “bang for your buck” over the course of your lifetime. Even if you don’t have dental insurance, financing dental implant treatment is a smart way to reduce the amount of money you spend on consistently updating or maintaining other types of dental restorations.
Visit Our Fort Worth Cosmetic Dentist
Archpoint Implant Dentistry specializes in DFW dental implants. Our most popular treatments include individual traditional implants, All-on-4 treatments, and implant-supported overdentures. We’ll guide you through the planning process to help you select the choice that’s best for your situation. There’s no one “right” option for everyone. Contact our Fort Worth implant specialists today to reserve your consultation.
