Dental implants are essentially artificial tooth roots that remedy missing or damaged teeth. While dental implants are often categorized as cosmetic dentistry, make no mistake that implants can work to fix a variety of chewing and speaking issues that come with tooth loss. In addition, dental implants help to maintain jaw bone, which can, in turn, prevent bone loss in the future.

What Causes Tooth Loss?

There are a variety of reasons that a person may have missing teeth. Common reasons include:

• Gum disease

• Tooth decay

• Wear and tear

• Injury

No matter the reason for tooth loss, it can have an impact on a person’s self-esteem and can influence their health in a variety of ways. Dental implants give people a second chance at a life that they can enjoy once again.

Types of Dental Implants

People in the market for dental implants will quickly learn that there is more than one option to choose from. Here are some of the most common dental implant options to choose from.

Two-Stage Implants: A two-stage implant requires that there are two surgeries. The first surgery is to place the implant into the jawbone. Once that is healed, the second surgery is performed to attach an abutment.

Endosteal Implants: Endosteal implants are usually an alternative to a bridge or denture. They are the most common implant used in a two-stage implant procedure.

Single-Stage Implants: Single-stage implants involve only one surgery since a longer implant is used and allows for the cap to be visible even after the stitch has healed. This means that there is no need for a second surgery, and the abutment can simply be attached to the exposed cap.

Subperiosteal implants: These types of implants are rarely used and are typically only used to keep dentures in place. This option is incredibly uncommon in modern dentistry.

Types of Coatings

Most dental implants are made from titanium. However, there are multiple types of coatings to choose from. Options include:

• Grit-blasted

• Acid-etched

• Roughened surface

• Micro grooved 

• plasma-sprayed titanium surface

• Plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite coating

• Zirconia 

Making the Choice

Your dentist will be able to provide more insight into which option is right for you. After a consultation and a thorough examination of your teeth, you’ll have a better understanding of which type of dental implant will be the best to restore your smile.

Customized

Dental implants are often chosen over other tooth restoration options simply because it is easier to customize them. They look and feel like real teeth and can be shaped and tinted to look like the rest of the teeth in your mouth. People walk away feeling like themselves and can have the peace of mind that nobody can readily tell that they had a procedure done at all.

Overview

Dental implants are often used for individuals who have one more missing teeth. If you would like to learn more about this procedure and the options to choose from, please contact our offices in Aiea, HI or Honolulu, HI. We are more than happy to answer your question and schedule an initial consultation.