Which Dental Implants Are Right For Me?

Whether through dental disease or contact sport, losing a tooth leaves an unsightly gap in your mouth. No one wants that. In the past, missing teeth were replaced by loose dentures and bridges. The modern solution is to insert permanent artificial teeth directly into your jaw bone. The advantage of this method is it provides a root replacement and prevents jaw bone loss. Dr. Christian Willard provides dental implants from 248 Dental in Branson, MO. He is a trained specialist who helps restore patients’ natural smiles.

Differences Between Two Implant Types

Standard and “mini” dental implants provide a permanent solution to tooth loss. Standard implants are more stable, durable, and can handle the greater force of chewing food. They consist of small titanium rods that are surgically implanted into your jaw bone. On top of the rod is an attachment that receives the tooth’s crown. The implants come in single tooth configuration or multiple teeth implants.

The “mini” implants consist of much smaller, thinner titanium rods implanted into the bone and have small ball connections to anchor the O-rings that attach the tooth’s crown. Due to their smaller size, they can fit into the smaller areas of your mouth. Of course, they may not be as durable as the standard implants, but one of their advantages is that the “mini” implants may also be used to provide additional anchoring for a set of regular dentures.

Should I Choose Standard or Mini Implants

During your appointment to assess for dental implants in Branson, MO Dr. Willard will examine the condition of your mouth, taking into account the state of the underlying bone and any remaining teeth before advising you which type of dental implants will work best in your unique situation. There are two types of implants used in specific situations, and he is the expert who knows which is the best type for you.

The standard implants require substantial bone mass to be present for insertion and anchoring. If you have already experienced some bone loss from the area, there may not be enough bone left for the proper placement of a standard implant. That is why the smaller sized and differently designed “mini” implant may be used in places where bone loss has occurred without a need for a bone graft. Call Dr. Willard at 248 Dental if you live in Branson, MO or Hollister, MO, Springfield, MO, Forsyth, MO, on the number (417) 336-2404 to schedule your dental implant appointment. He will help you choose the best option for your mouth.