As we receive more and more patients suffering from missing teeth, many more people regain the ability to show off a brand new smile courtesy of dental implants. We recommend implants to our patients in the Huntingburg, IN area because they provide a level of comfort and stability unmatched by other restoration treatments. Despite the treatment’s recent rise in popularity, not a lot of people are aware of the variety of treatments possible using implants. Today, the Troutman Family Dentistry team is here to give an overview of the three main types of dental implant treatment possibilities.
A Treatment That Fits Your Needs
Here at our practice, we differentiate our implant treatments based on how many teeth need restoration. The three main types of implant restoration are:
Single-Tooth Restorations
We perform the first type of restoration for those patients who are suffering from a single missing tooth. For these patients, an implant fixture fits in the gap where the missing tooth used to sit. As it heals, a process called osseointegration works to fuse jawbone tissue with the titanium that makes up the fixture. When this process is complete, the patient will be able to have an abutment attached to the fixture, and then a dental crown quickly follows.
Multiple Teeth Restorations
We perform the next type of restoration for patients who are missing several types of teeth. Usually, we restore each missing tooth with its own implant fixture, abutment, and crown. However, if your missing teeth all directly border each other, then an implant-supported dental bridge is a better treatment option. For this method, we place at least two implant fixtures, one for the first and one for the last tooth in the set. After healing, we connect the abutments to each fixture and finally connect the dental bridge.
Full Arch Restorations
Patients missing a full arch of teeth receive a full arch restoration. The most common treatment used to replace a full arch of missing teeth is an implant supported overdenture. For this treatment, we will place four to six implant fixtures along the patient’s arch. Once the process of osseointegration has completely integrated each fixture into the patient’s jawbone, we will attach an abutment to every implant. Finally, we will connect the overdenture.
Learn More About Dental Implant Treatment Possibilities
It doesn’t matter how many teeth you might be missing. Dental implants can provide a treatment that replaces any number of teeth. As long as you qualify as a candidate for dental implants, we can restore your smile with this simple treatment. If you would like to learn more about dental implants, contact our office and schedule a no-obligation consultation with our office today.