Types of Dental Implants
Dental implants are the superior treatment for adult tooth loss. Dental implants are small screws that are surgically implanted into the jaw, where they serve as a replacement for lost tooth roots. Implants are attached to small metal posts, or abutments, that connect the implants to dental restorations.
Several types of dental implants are available, making this a viable tooth loss treatment whether a patient has lost a single tooth, a small set of teeth, or an entire arch of teeth. The dentists at Bethel Dental in Accra, Ghana, are happy to teach patients about the types of dental implants available at their practice and determine which is best suited to their unique situation.
Single-Tooth Dental Implants
Single-tooth dental implants are ideal for patients who have lost a single tooth to injury or decay. When an implant is placed to replace one missing tooth, it is surgically placed in the jaw directly below the area of tooth loss. The implant sits where the tooth’s root system was before tooth loss. As surrounding tissues heal, they fuse with the implant, essentially making it a part of the jaw bone. The fusion process, known as osseointegration, creates a strong and durable anchor that secures a dental crown, allowing it to function just like a natural tooth.
Implant-Supported Bridge
An implant-supported bridge is ideal for those of our Accra patients who have lost a small set of teeth from the same area of the mouth. Like a traditional dental bridge, an implant-supported bridge replaces a group of teeth to fill in gaps left by tooth loss.
Implant-supported bridges are generally supported by two dental implants, no matter how many teeth are being replaced. One implant is placed on either end of the area of tooth loss. The two implants are like bookends that secure and support a single bridge that is designed to replicate multiple teeth.
Full Arch Implants
The third type of dental implant is a full arch implant. As the name suggests, full arch implants support dentures to replace an entire arch of teeth. Implant-supported dentures are far more secure and convenient than traditional dentures. They are not removable, they never shift or slip out of place, and they can be cared for like natural teeth.
When replacing an entire arch of teeth, many of our patients hesitate to consider dental implants because they worry about extensive surgical treatment. Fortunately, full arch implants do not require an implant for each tooth that has gone missing. In most cases, a full set of dentures can be secured with just four dental implants, which are often referred to as All-on-4 implants. Our dentists strategically place full arch implants to maximize the support of existing bone tissue and minimize the number of required implants.
Request an Appointment
Individuals who have suffered adult tooth loss owe it to themselves to consider the many benefits of dental implants. If you would like to learn more about the types of dental implants offered at Bethel Dental and how they can restore the strength, function, and beauty of your smile, send us a message online or call (233) 030-277-1155 at your earliest convenience.
