Dentures: Facts, Figures and Friendly Advice for Seniors

3 Types of Dental Implants

14 September 2021

Herman Kim

Nothing matches what dental implants can achieve regarding oral health, teeth/jaw function, and smile appearance. Dental implants are an excellent replacement for missing teeth and play an integral role in preventing jawbone deterioration. The devices also help maintain the position of remaining teeth for a natural-looking appearance. That said, dental implants are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Notably, the type of implants you get depends on your condition. This article highlights the different types of dental implants.

Dental Crown

The first type of dental implant is a dental crown. The device is often prescribed to patients with a chipped or broken tooth caused by accident or poor dental care. Fundamentally, it is a cap that goes over the remaining tooth to create the illusion of a whole pearly white. Notably, a dental crown can be made from porcelain, ceramic, metal, or composite resin. When considering the best material for a dental crown, dentists look at different factors, including tooth location, size, function, amount of tooth remaining, and colour. During a dental crown installation, dentists first file down the rough edges of a broken tooth. A dentist then makes an impression of the tooth, which is used to make a mould. Finally, the mould is used to create a crown that fits perfectly over the remaining chipped tooth. Most importantly, the colour of a dental crown must match that of the remaining teeth for a natural look.

Dental Bridge

A dental bridge is another dental implant suitable for patients with two or more missing teeth from the same row. As its name implies, a dental bridge restores the linkage between remaining teeth, closing the gap left. Also referred to as a partial denture, a dental bridge consists of several fused prosthetic teeth. Noteworthy, the size of a dental bridge varies depending on the number of missing teeth. For instance, if three teeth are missing, a dental bridge will have three prosthetic teeth. The best part is that dental bridges do not require a 1:1 dental implant ratio since fewer implants can hold the device in place.

Full Denture

Severe tooth loss can affect the entire upper or lower arch, making daily oral functions challenging. Usually, losing teeth from the entire mouth arch is caused by an accident or old age. While replacing an entire arch of missing teeth with a dental bridge or crown is possible, it is impractical since installing dental implants in an entire empty arch can be gruelling. The best dental implant for severe tooth loss is a complete denture. For instance, full dentures are anchored directly to the jawbone with four titanium implants. The procedure provides adequate support to restore normal teeth and jaw function.

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