Before you agree to a dental implant, consider these options

March 24, 2022

This paid piece is sponsored by Siouxland Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.

Last month, we discussed mini implants, so this month we want to talk a bit about the slightly larger dental implants. These implants are generally 3 millimeters in diameter, so essentially not a great deal wider than three toothpicks put together. Typically, these implants are considered standard and are placed the most, for most people.

Standard implants have the mechanical strength to function long term for a patient. They also have connectors, so that what you see as teeth are as natural as they can be and yet still follow the basic principles of both function and esthetics. There are hundreds of dental implant companies, so when considering dental implants, make sure the implants being used are at least ranked in the top five. These companies usually will be around in 10 or 20 years; therefore, if your general dentist or oral surgeon needs to acquire a part, it can be readily attained.

The “cheaper” implants from startup companies will not have integral parts in 10 or 20 years as these companies tend to fail or get bought out by the bigger companies. In our area, the major companies are Nobel Biocare, which is owned by Evista, Straumann, Bicon and Biohorizons. There are other reputable companies, but they generally are not used in our region. So when your surgeon wants to place a dental implant, ask what implant company he or she plans on using.

So back to the topic of narrow platform dental implants. These particular implants are meant to be placed in smaller places and usually are bounded on either side by natural teeth to lend support to the implant. Most times, they will be used to replace a lateral incisor tooth or in specific areas after orthodontic treatment such as braces leaves a small amount of room. In less common situations, they can be used where the space is too big for one implant but not quite big enough for two implants. That “magic number” of space is 14 millimeters.

If the edentulous space in question is bigger than 14 millimeters, then you truly need two implants, but if you are right at 14 millimeters, then sometimes two smaller implants is the answer. Another possible indication is bone width. If you are trying to avoid the surgery to widen the bone, smaller diameter implants may be the answer. In these cases, many times you have to “stretch” the bone with widening chisels known as a ridge split bone graft. This usually will  give you just enough bone to place the implant and not subject the patient to a separate bone grafting surgery.

Gingival, or gum, tissue also must be considered when treatment planning for dental implants. When you look at your teeth in the mirror, you see a firm pink layer of gum tissue around the necks of the teeth that does not stretch. This tissue is known as attached gingiva. Now as you move to your lip or cheek, you will see a darker, reddish tissue called movable mucosa because it stretches. Teeth and dental implants need to be surrounded by healthy, attached gingiva to effectively resist gum disease.

When you are dealing with these small spaces, you need to discuss all your options:

  • Doing nothing.
  • A Maryland bridge.
  • A traditional bridge.
  • A removable partial denture or full denture.
  • Dental implants.

Ask your dentist to review all your options and then develop your treatment plan. Typically, if your treatment plan involves oral surgery, you will be referred to a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who has received the true advanced residency training and corresponding experience to execute the surgical plan and all its components. This will ensure a higher success rate with the lowest risk of potential complications.

Siouxland Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery: It’s where you go for oral surgery by real oral surgeons.

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Before you agree to a dental implant, consider these options

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