What Are the Different Types of Dental Implants?

If you’re considering dental implants, it’s important to know the different options that are available. Technically speaking, the term “dental implant” only refers to the implant post that is surgically placed in the jaw. These posts can be used to support a wide range of restorations, with a piece called an abutment to connect the implant and the restoration. Dr. Massiah and the team at Smiles on the Upper Westside are among the premier providers of dental implants in NYC and we make the process seamless by handling the entire procedure right in our office, from start to finish.

We offer the following types of dental implants at our Upper West Side location:

Single-tooth dental implants are a close replica of your natural tooth, with an implant replacing the root and a dental crown replacing the tooth above the gum line. This type of restoration is used when only a single tooth needs to be replaced with a dental implant or when you have more than one tooth that needs to be replaced, but they are not adjacent to each other. Your crown will be fabricated to match the rest of your teeth, so no one will notice you have a dental implant when you smile.

If you have a few teeth in a row that need to be replaced, an implant-supported bridge is a more economical solution than replacing each individual tooth with its own dental implant and crown. This restoration involves replacing the two outermost missing teeth with dental implants and using these implants to support a span of pontics, or prosthetic teeth.

When compared to traditional dental bridges, implant-supported bridges are a better solution because they prevent bone loss in the jaw and they offer more stability and strength. In addition, implant-supported bridges don’t require the support of adjacent teeth like a traditional bridge, which means they don’t place stress on other teeth and put them at risk for fracture and decay.

An implant-supported denture is more comfortable and stable than a traditional denture, which is secured in place with adhesive or paste. This means they feel more natural and allow for better overall function. Implant-supported dentures can be full or partial; fixed or removable (also known as snap-on dentures). Because implant-supported dentures prevent and reverse jawbone loss, they result in a more youthful appearance.

If you need to replace all of your teeth on the upper or lower arch, you may wish to consider this solution. The full arch with only four implants uses four implants to support an arch of fixed replacement teeth. Many patients who are not candidates for traditional implant-supported dentures are able to have this procedure and it can be performed on the same day as your teeth are extracted.

Wondering which of these options is best for you? Contact us today at 212-222-5225 to schedule a consultation at Smiles on the Upper Westside.