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There are four main types of implant restoration which can be used by a cosmetic dental surgeon to replace anything from one missing tooth to a complete arch of teeth. Dental implant restorations are at the cutting-edge of modern dentistry and offer the most effective method of replacing missing teeth, providing the highest degree of comfort, aesthetics, function and stability available. They also have the added advantage of preserving the shape of the jawbone, as normally the bone mass in the area of a missing tooth will diminish following tooth loss, but with implants inserted the bone in that area of the jaw is retained.

Single Tooth Implant Restoration

When a patient has a single missing tooth, with conventional dentistry they may typically have a 3 unit bridge fitted as a replacement. However, the downside to this treatment is that the two healthy teeth either side of the missing tooth have to be reduced in size to accommodate the bridge.

A titanium implant – which has a screw-like form – is placed into the jaw of the patient at the restoration location at a slight angle to take advantage of the amount of available bone mass.  As with all types of implant restoration, the implant/s will then be allowed to fully integrate with the bone due to a process known as osseointegration over a period of six months.

After the healing period a small incision is made in the gum to expose the top of the implant, and an abutment is fitted to the implant. The abutment is slightly angled to compensate for the angle of implant and to allow for the restoration to be placed exactly inline with the adjacent teeth.

A ceramic crown is then manufactured to precisely match the patients existing teeth and fixed to the abutment with dental bonding resin to complete the functional and aesthetic restoration.

Multiple Tooth Implant Restorations

When a patient has 2 or more teeth missing in a row a multiple tooth implant restoration can be used to replace the missing teeth. It is usually not necessary to have titanium implants surgically placed at the site of every missing tooth. Typically if 2 to 4 teeth are missing, implants will be placed on either side and the prosthetic teeth will be manufactured from a solid block of ceramic as a complete unit. If 5 – 7 teeth are missing 3 implants will typically be placed (2 on either side and 1 in the middle).

Full Arch Implant Restoration

Full arch restoration involves a permanent ceramic prosthetic consisting of 14 replacement teeth being fixed to 8 previously placed implants. There are major advantages when compared to conventional dentures; most significantly this type of restoration has a much improved level of functionality. Additionally, the aesthetics of the prosthetic teeth ensures the closest resemblance to natural teeth possible and the feel and level of comfort provided is also second to none.

Dental Implant Supported Overdentures

Implant supported overdentures – or implant dentures – consist of a denture which is permanently fixed to 4 to 8 dental implants. This is a more cost effective of replacing a full arch of teeth (when compared to full arch implant restoration) and the levels of functionality and appearance offer a great improvement over conventional dentures.