Dental Implants: What Are They Made Of?
When you lose a tooth, whether due to an injury or an oral condition, you may experience certain complications, discomfort, defective speech, rapid bone loss, or changes in chewing patterns. In these cases, restoring a lost tooth with a dental implant can greatly improve your dental health and overall quality of life.
That’s why at Next Level Dental Studio, we offer dental implants in Charlotte, near Northlake, Mountain Island, and Huntersville, NC, to replace your missing teeth and restore the beauty of your smile.
If you have one or more missing teeth and you’re looking for the best treatments to restore them, dental implants are a significant option to consider. Here are a few things to know about dental implants:
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small artificial structures that dentists use to replace one or more missing teeth. They help improve your chewing function, fill gaps in your smile, and improve your overall health.
Dental implants typically have three main parts:
- A Threaded Post: This serves as an artificial tooth root. Our dentist in Charlotte, NC, Dr. Rogers, will place the post in your jawbone during the dental implant procedure.
- An Abutment: The abutment is a small connector post. Its primary function is to serve as the foundation for your artificial tooth.
- A Restoration: The restoration is any prosthetic that dentists use to replace or repair your teeth. They can either be a dental crown, denture, or bridge.
How Are Dental Implants Made?
For a seamless and natural-looking result, our Charlotte dentist will take impressions of your teeth to design and place your implant crown. We can do this using the modern 3D scanner or with trays of FDA-approved gel. However, the 3D scanners give a more accurate impression of your teeth, which will then be used to make a crown(s) for your implants.
When Are Dental Implants Used?
By now, you must know that dental implants are essentially used to replace a missing tooth. However, the dexterity of their usage is unique. Dental implants do not only replace a single tooth. It can also be used when:
- You’re missing several adjacent teeth.
- You’re missing all the teeth in your jaw.
- You need to support a removable or fixed denture.
The number of implants our dentist will place in your mouth will depend on the final restoration and the amount of bone available for the implant.
Different Types of Dental Implants
There are different types of dental implants. However, these types are categorized based on how they are attached to your jawbone and the materials they are made of. The types of dental implants based on how they are attached to your jawbone are:
- Endosteal Implants
- Subperiosteal implants
- Zygomatic Implants
The types of implants based on the materials they are made of are:
- Titanium Implants
- Zirconia Implants
- Acrylic Implants
- Porcelain Implants
Titanium Dental Implants
Titanium implants are the most used type of dental implants. The material fuses with the bone over time through a process known as osseointegration, which helps to effectively secure the replacement teeth in place.
Zirconia Dental Implants
Zirconia or metal-free dental implants are a more aesthetic alternative to titanium implants. They are made from a material consisting of Zirconium and Oxygen elements. Zirconia implants are ceramic and are likely to cause fewer allergic reactions in patients. They also have lower rates of infection and inflammation. However, they are more prone to fracture compared to titanium implants.
Porcelain Dental Implants
Porcelain dental implants are made from ceramic materials. They look more like your natural teeth and are known for their durability. Porcelain implants are stain-resistant and with proper care, can last many years.
Acrylic Dental Implants
Acrylic dental plants, also known as resin or composite implants, are typically one-piece implants. This means that the crown and implants are fused. They are made from durable acrylic resin materials and serve as an affordable alternative to porcelain dental implants.
Dental Implant Treatment in Huntersville, NC
Having one or more missing teeth should not stop you from showing the world how beautiful your smile is. If you’re seeking a permanent solution to your missing teeth, we offer comprehensive dental implant treatment at our Charlotte office. Our treatment not only replaces your missing teeth but also restores your smile and your teeth functionality.
Dr. Rogers who services the Huntersville area offers a variety of dental implants to ensure you get compatible treatment. Schedule an appointment with us today or contact us to learn more about our dental implant procedures.
