Different Dental Implant Systems
Over the past several years, dental implants have become increasingly popular. Despite improvements in dental care, losing teeth is still something many people face. And with people living longer than ever, the desire to maintain both a confident smile and the ability to enjoy food well into their later years has grown too.
The aging baby boomer generation is driving a growing demand for long-term tooth replacement solutions. As of now, about 3 million people in the U.S. have dental implants, and that number is increasing by around 500,000 every year, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID). By 2022, some experts predict that the dental implant market across the U.S. and Europe will be worth $4.2 billion. A large part of this rising demand comes from more public awareness of the procedure and its impressive success rate, which is over 95%. At the same time, advancements in dental technology have made getting implants more efficient and predictable, making it an excellent choice for many people.
If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from tooth loss, you may be wondering what your options are. There are several types of dental implant systems out there and knowing which one is right for you is very important.
Why do I need to worry about tooth replacement?
The loss of teeth has significant negative impacts on a person’s quality of life and their overall health. Tooth loss prevents a person from eating various foods resulting in a less healthy diet. It also leads to significant health issues like increased risk of infection in the gums, loss of bone structure, and loss of facial muscles, not to mention the cosmetic impacts. Therefore, if you have lost one or more teeth, you need to explore your options right away.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are tooth replacement systems installed in the mouth. It involves installing an implant into the jawbone, which over time fuses with the bone. This fusion creates a foundational structure for the prosthetic tooth, the crown, to be attached to. This ensures that the replacement tooth remains stable in the mouth and therefore has a natural feel. Patients with dental implants report that that the replacement teeth feel, function, and look like their natural teeth. This ensures that they can eat the foods they love, speak normally, and have a restored smile. As you’ll see, there are differences in the systems themselves that have impacts on how the systems look, feel, and function.
What types of systems are there?
One of the biggest differences in implant systems is the way the replacement tooth, called the restoration, is attached to the implant. This usually involves choosing between cementable abutments and screw-retained implants. Both of these options have their own advantages and disadvantages depending on the situation.
Cementable Abutments
How It Works: With a cementable abutment, the dentist places a small connector on top of the implant, called an abutment. The crown (the artificial tooth) is then placed on top of the connector and is secured with dental cement. Essentially, this abutment is what holds the crown in place.
Cementable Abutment Advantages:
- Better Appearance: With cementable abutments, there are no visible screws. This means that the cemented crowns can look more natural. This is especially helpful for front teeth where appearance is really important for maintaining a natural look.
- Simpler Process: Placing a cement-retained crown is often easier because it doesn’t need to be perfectly aligned like a screw-retained crown.
Cementable Abutment Disadvantages:
- Difficult to Remove: If the crown needs fixing or adjusting later, the cement can be more challenging to remove without causing some damage to either the crown or implant.
- Cement Issues: With dental cement, there’s always a chance that some leftover cement might get stuck under the gums. This can lead to irritation or even infections if it’s not thoroughly cleaned out.
Screw-Retained Implants
How It Works: In a screw-retained implant system, the dentist secures the crown to the implant with a small screw. The screw goes through the crown, which holds it firmly in place to the implant. The small screw hole is filled in with a tooth-colored material, so it blends in.
Screw-Retained Implant Advantages:
- Easy to Take Off: The crowns in a screw-retained implant system can be easily removed if any repairs or maintenance are needed. This makes them more practical if future adjustments might be needed.
- No Cement Problems: Because there isn’t cement being used, you won’t have to worry about cement being left behind and causing issues around the implant.
Screw-Retained Implant Disadvantages:
- Visible Screw Hole: There is a chance that the hole for the screw might show a little, especially on front teeth. This might affect how the tooth looks. This hole can be filled with material that matches the tooth color, however, which can help ensure that it’s not too noticeable.
- More Complex: Placing a screw-retained crown requires more precision from the dentist. This precision is necessary especially with getting the screw hole in the right spot. This can pose challenges in hard to reach teeth that aren’t as easily accessible.
Stock versus Custom Abutments
- There are two types of abutments used in dental implant systems, stock and custom. Abutments are the connectors between the implant and the crown. They hold the restoration securely in place. Understanding these options is important because they have an impact on the overall appearance, comfort, and function of the implant. Stock abutments are standard-sized and affordable. They are often used in non-visible areas but may require adjustments for a good fit. Custom abutments are tailored specifically to the patient. They offer a more precise fit and better appearance, especially for visible teeth. They are more costly, but they can provide a more natural and predictable results.
Another key difference in implant systems is the material the implant is made from. There are typically two materials used, titanium and zirconium, both having their own advantages and disadvantages.
- Titanium Dental Implants: Titanium is the material used the most for dental implants. This is because it integrates well with bone, which is essential for implants to work. This means that once the implant is placed, the bone grows around it, keeping it securely in place. Titanium implants are known for their high success rates, which is typically around 95% or higher. While actual allergic reactions to titanium are very rare, a small percentage of people may be sensitive to other metals in the alloy that is used today in place of pure titanium. In fact, about 5% of people have sensitivities to nickel, often found in the alloy, which can lead to concerns about using metal in the body.
- Zirconia Implants: For individuals worried about potential allergies to metal, zirconia implants offer an alternative to titanium. Even though they are not entirely metal-free, since small amounts of hafnium and yttrium are included to enhance strength, zirconia is often classified as a ceramic material. Like titanium, zirconia integrates well with bone, making it a reliable choice for implants. Zirconia has not been used for as long as titanium, however. This means that there is less long-term data available on its success.
- Comparing Zirconia and Titanium Implants: Titanium implants have been used for many years, with excellent results. One of their biggest advantages is their versatility and success rate. Dentists can use them in different designs, depending on the needs of the patient. Additionally, titanium can support both fixed and removable tooth replacements. Zirconia on the other hand is usually designed as one piece. This means the crown must be cemented on. That makes it a bit trickier to place because it needs to be done with precision. It’s also important that there’s enough bone to support the implant, as there’s less room for error compared to titanium. On the other hand, zirconia has some clear benefits. It doesn’t conduct heat or cold, and it won’t rust or corrode over time. Its ceramic color also blends naturally with the gums, so you won’t have to worry about any metal showing through. For most patients, titanium is still the best choice because of its long history and reliability. If someone prefers to avoid metal altogether, however, zirconia is a good alternative.
How do I choose the right implant system?
When deciding on the right implant system for you, it is important to first understand your needs and any underlying circumstances that might impact which system will be most beneficial for you. Each person is different. Therefore, your needs are different. You can learn more about your needs from your dentist. Your dentist will also be able to help you guide you through the different systems that are available and that they offer. They will be able to provide consultation on which system might be your best choice.
You can also do your own research on the types of systems available. This will allow you to enter the conversation with your dentist informed and ready to advocate for your needs. When doing research, consider the pros and cons of the different systems and prepare questions you’d like to have your dentist speak to.
If you need tooth replacement, speak with your dentist today. They will be able to answer questions you have about the different systems and help guide towards the system that is right for you.