If you’re considering implants to replace missing teeth, you’re expected to feel indecisive while selecting between the different types of denture implants.
There are a lot of factors that come into play while making this selection—comfort, stability, longevity, functionality, etc. There are several different types of dentures for implants available in the market, each offering unique benefits for people with varying dental needs. It’s on the patients to identify their needs and then choose an option that best aligns with them.
In this blog, we’ll comprehensively walk you through all the different types of denture implants, easing your task of selecting the best option for yourself.
What Are Denture Implants?
Let’s begin with a basic discussion of what denture implants are.
Denture implants, also commonly known as implant dentures, are a modern dental restorative treatment aimed at replacing missing teeth in edentulous patients.
These patients may have lost all or most of their teeth due to reasons such as age-related tooth loss, dental decay, gum disease, trauma, genetic predisposition, etc. Regardless of the cause of tooth loss, denture implants are an effective way of permanently restoring missing teeth in partially or completely edentulous patients.
There are two core components in the implant-denture treatment:
- Implants – these are biocompatible metallic posts (usually made of titanium or zirconia) that are surgically inserted into the edentulous jawbone to substitute the missing tooth roots. Hence, these ‘artificial tooth roots’ provide the jawbone with the necessary stimulation to keep it healthy and strong. Additionally, just like real tooth roots, these artificial roots serve as anchors for the attachment of dentures (to keep the dentures stable and secure).
- Dentures – these are the artificial teeth sets that essentially replace the visible part of teeth (the crowns). It consists of several artificial crowns pieced together to create a whole dental arch. The dentures are fastened to the implants placed in the jaw.
In short, the implants replace the missing tooth roots, whereas the denture replaces the missing crowns. Unlike conventional dentures that merely rest on the gums and have little to no stability, implant dentures perfectly simulate the mechanics of natural teeth, comprehensively restoring your smile (from the roots to the crowns).
This makes the combination of implants and dentures a highly potent one, providing patients with replacement teeth that feel as comfortable, durable, and functional as their real teeth once did.
What Are The Different Types Of Denture Implants?
Now that you know the basics of how implant dentures work, it’s time to get acquainted with the different types of dentures and implants available in the market.
The reason behind the diversity in implant-denture options is that people have varying dental needs and health levels, which makes it difficult to have a one-size-fits-all solution to their issues. Hence, modern restorative dentistry has come up with several implant-denture options to cater to unique patient needs. Let’s discuss all these options comprehensively!
Options Based On Size
Implant dentures are beneficial for people who have lost all or most of their teeth, as mentioned earlier. Hence, there are 2 types of dentures according to the number of teeth being restored, which also ultimately determines their size. These are:
- Partial Implant Dentures — These are smaller versions of dentures that work similarly to a dental bridge and are designed to replace a section of multiple missing teeth. Hence, these are ideal for partially edentulous patients (those who have lost most of their teeth but have a few of their natural teeth intact). Unlike traditional bridges, which serve the same purpose but have less stability and durability, partial implant dentures can last for several years and remain stable due to being attached to implants. Moreover, unlike traditional bridges, they don’t require your natural teeth to be filed/drilled for support.
- Complete Implant Dentures — these are bigger, full-sized dentures built like a complete dental arch (with 16 consecutive teeth). Hence, they’re designed for completely edentulous patients (those who have lost all of their teeth). Unlike traditional dentures, complete implant dentures provide a super stable, comfortable, and functional alternative to natural teeth without the potential hazards of gum irritation, slipping, shifting, and breakage.
Options Based On The Implant Technique Used
Modern implant dentures strive to use as few implants to support the denture as possible, unlike traditional methods where each missing tooth requires a separate implant to be replaced. The goal behind using fewer implants is to make the treatment less invasive and more affordable while also ensuring that the dentures remain stable in the long run.
There are two different kinds of implant dentures based on the number of implants used and the technique employed in their placement:
- All-on-4 Implant-Dentures — in this type, only 4 dental implants are used to anchor and support the entire denture. These implants are strategically placed in the densest sections of the jawbone to facilitate effective osseointegration and implant stability. 2 of the implants are inserted vertically, whereas the other 2 are inserted at a certain angle so that the dentures have maximized contact with the jawbone.
- All-on-6 Implant-Dentures — these involve the placement of 6 (instead of 4) implants to support the denture. This technique is employed in cases where there patient has a larger jawbone volume or those who need additional support due to inadequate jawbone density.
Options Based On The Denture Design
Lastly, there are 3 kinds of implant dentures based on the specific design and attachment mechanism of the denture with the implants. These are:
- Implant-retained, Gum-supported Denture — it’s a removable denture that rests on your gums but is also temporarily anchored to the implants with the help of small retentive attachments present on the denture base.
- Bar-retained, Gum Supported Denture — this one is almost similar to the previous one, except that it’s not anchored ‘directly’ to the implants. Rather, it connects to a metal bar present on the implants (again, with the help of retentive attachments present on the denture).
- Permanently Fixed, Implant-Supported Denture — it’s a permanent (non-removable) denture that is directly fastened to the implants by means of screws.
Conclusion
For edentulous patients seeking the stability and durability of implant dentures, there are several different options to choose from based on the size, design, and technology employed in their making. These options include complete implant dentures, partial implant dentures, all-on-4 implant dentures, etc. Ultimately, the particular option you select will depend on your specific dental needs, personal preferences, health conditions, and affordability.
For more details about implant dentures, schedule a FREE consultation with Bay Area Implant Dentistry, a premium dental practice located in California, USA. We have a team of expert implant surgeons who’ll walk you through all the different treatment options, helping you pave your way to a healthy and beautiful smile transformation