Types of Dental Implants, Compared by a Winston-Salem Dentist [Video Explainer]

If you’re exploring dental implants, you might notice that there are quite a few options out there. Dr. Keider trusts two types of dental implants: conventional implants and mini dental implants.

Each has key differences that make one better suited to a particular case. As your dentist, Dr. Keider will recommend the best option for your situation. During a consultation, Dr. Keider will assess your oral health and restoration goals and recommend what’s best for you.

What Is a Dental Implant?

If you’re missing some or all of your teeth, a dental implant can provide functional replacement teeth. These small titanium posts secure into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth root. Titanium bonds well with the body. Over time, it fuses directly to the surrounding bone in a process called osseointegration. Once it integrates, it supports fixed or removable tooth replacements: a single crown, a bridge, or a full set of teeth.

Types of Dental Implants

Dr. Keider offers two types of dental implants: conventional and mini implants.

Conventional Dental Implants

Conventional implants are the most well-known type. They use a larger-diameter post, measuring 3 mm or more. They consist of two components: the post itself and the abutment that connects the post to the restoration. To place a conventional implant, Dr. Keider must make an incision in the gums, expose the bone underneath, and screw the post into place. In a separate visit, he can add the abutment on top. At a separate visit, you’ll come in for your final restoration.

In general, the process is quite involved. However, in addition to what we just described, some patients may need an additional step: bone grafting. Because these implants are larger, they require enough healthy bone to anchor securely. When patients lack sufficient bone volume, Dr. Keider may recommend grafting, a procedure that rebuilds bone, before placing the implant. Grafting adds a step, requires more healing time, and increases overall treatment cost.

Mini Dental Implants

A mini dental implant is a single-piece implant with a smaller-diameter post, measuring less than 3 mm. To place a mini implant, Dr. Keider makes a small hole in the gums and secures the post into the jawbone. This is a less invasive procedure than conventional implants, and patients tend to heal more comfortably afterward. Many cases wrap up in one or two visits, getting patients back to their normal lives quickly after the procedure.

The smaller implant has another benefit. For patients with bone loss, Dr. Keider finds that mini implants can help them avoid bone grafting, which decreases treatment costs.

Why does the distinction between implant types matter? Patients who are not candidates for conventional implants are more likely to qualify for mini implants.

• Fewer visits: Mini implants can often be placed and used to support a restoration with fewer appointments than conventional implants.
• Reduced need for bone grafting: Their smaller diameter lets mini implants fit in thinner areas of jawbone. This means many patients can qualify for mini implants and avoid grafting in many cases.
• Cost benefits: Fewer appointments and a reduced need for bone grafting can make mini implant treatment more affordable. In some cases, mini implant restorations cost about half as much as conventional implants.

Any one of these factors can make or break your confidence in moving forward with dental implants. The type of implant Dr. Keider uses can significantly affect your experience in the dentist’s chair.

Types of Implant Restorations

The implant itself is only part of the solution. The restoration on top is what you see and use every day.

Implant Crown: An implant crown replaces a single missing tooth. Custom-made to match the color, shape, and size of your surrounding teeth, it attaches to the implant post and functions similarly to a natural tooth.

Implant-Supported Bridge: An implant-supported bridge replaces multiple adjacent missing teeth. Two or more implants anchor it at either end, and the replacement teeth span the gap between them, fixed in place and cemented to the implants. Unlike a traditional bridge, an implant bridge does not alter or damage healthy neighboring teeth.

Implant Dentures: For patients replacing a full arch of teeth, implant dentures anchor a prosthesis directly to the jawbone rather than resting on the gums. Dr. Keider offers multiple removable and non-removable options to consider in a consultation.

With so many combinations of implant types and restorations available, no treatment plan is one-size-fits-all. Dr. Keider evaluates each patient individually to determine which implant type and restoration work best together for their oral health and smile goals.

Schedule a Consultation to Explore Types of Dental Implants

Dr. Keider offers two types of dental implants because he’s passionate about giving patients a variety of solutions to choose from. He is happy to explain which implant and restoration options fit your needs once he gets to know your goals and oral health. If you’ve been told you lack enough bone for conventional implants, mini implants may still be an option. Schedule a consultation to explore your choices.

Schedule a consultation to see what’s right for you.