Dr. Bradley Dean is a highly trained and experienced periodontist in Plano, TX, and a nationally recognized leader in dental implant dentistry. He has restored many smiles with dental implants, restoring patients’ confidence and helping them regain their oral health. Dr. Dean offers full implant services to replace one, multiple, or all of your teeth. Many dental implant options are available when replacing missing or damaged teeth with dental implants in Plano and Dallas, TX.
The type, size, and method you need are based on thoroughly examining your mouth and oral and general health history. Thanks to advances in dental technology, dental implant options are available for everyone.
Dental Implant Placement Options
We can place dental implants depending on where patients have missing teeth and where they have jaw bone loss. Two implant placements include:
Endosteal or Endosseous Implants
Endosteal (in the bone) implants are the most popular implant type. To place and anchor implants to the jaw is with. An endosteal implant is anchored to the jaw by surgically placing it directly into the jawbone. Many different types of implants can be placed this way.
Subperiosteal implants
Subperiosteal (on the bone) implants are rarely used. This type of implant consists of a wide metal framework placed on top of the jawbone but below the gums.
Protruding metal posts are above the gum line and mount the dental restoration. We use this type of implant when a patient does not have enough jaw bone for implants and cannot receive grafting.
Techniques for Placing Implants
We use the one or two-stage implant methods to precisely place implants:
Two-stage dental implants
The most widely used implant method is the two-stage dental implant placement method. During the first stage, we surgically place the implants into the jaw bone.
Then, we suture the gums to fully cover the implants while they heal. During the second stage, we make a small incision in the gums to expose the top of the implant. Finally, we place the abutment.
Single-stage dental implants
This implant treatment procedure is becoming more popular as dental implants have progressed over recent years. It provides a much shorter treatment time for the patient. Typically, we place a longer implant in the jaw bone. The top part is left exposed and not covered by the gums during the healing period.
Uncovering the implant head does not require a second surgery. We can place the abutment and restoration after months of healing without a surgical procedure.
Types of Dental Implant Prostheses
Prostheses are restorations secured by dental implants. Our office provides crowns and bridges for patients missing one or multiple teeth.
Implant-supported Dental Crown
If you are missing only one tooth, we can surgically place a single dental implant in the jaw bone. Then, we attach an abutment and a dental crown to complete the restoration. The crown is made to blend in seamlessly with the surrounding natural teeth. We color-match the crown to the shade of other teeth in the mouth.
Implant-supported Dental Bridge
We can place two or more consecutive teeth with implants. Instead of replacing each missing tooth with a single implant, Dr. Dean will surgically place at least two implants on either side of the gap. These implants will support a dental bridge.
Additionally, Dr. Dean doesn’t need to prepare natural teeth for crowns when you get an implant bridge.
Replacement Options When All Upper and/or Lower Teeth Are Missing:
Implant-Retained Dentures
Removable implant-retained dentures, sometimes called snap-in dentures, still require nightly care and maintenance. Still, these dentures are much better than traditional removable dentures. They work by clipping onto the dental implants.
You can easily clean these dentures by unclipping them. There is no need for adhesive, and implant-retained dentures offer about 50% better chewing power.
There are two main types: bar-retained and ball-retained. A bar-retained denture requires two to five implants placed in the jaw bone. We attach a thin metal bar to these dentures to follow the natural curve of the jaw.
The denture will fit over the bar and clip into place. A ball-retained denture requires two or more implants with a ball-like attachment on each that will fit into sockets on the denture.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Fixed implant-supported dentures are non-removable and are the best solution for patients who need to replace an entire row of teeth. This type of denture can take the full force of a bite, providing the most natural bite for the patient. They require at least four dental implants supporting per arch.
Depending on your unique case, you may need up to eight implants. These dentures remain permanently attached. Only Dr. Dean can remove these dentures.
The All-on-4 technique can replace an entire upper or lower row of teeth. All-on-4 only needs four dental implants per arch. This technique works by surgically placing the implants at specific angles that optimize the available bone structure.
This is a great option for someone who has suffered from bone loss. We can remove problem teeth, place implants, and attach a temporary dental restoration in one surgery. Like other dentures, we permanently secure this denture in place.
There are many benefits of All-on-4. All-on-4 has a reduced treatment time because it only requires one procedure. Additionally, you will never be without teeth after you begin implant treatment.
Dental Implant Size Options
Dental implants come in a variety of sizes for different areas of the mouth. The size of your implants is also based on your amount of jaw bone:
- A standard dental implant is about 3.4 mm to 4.2 mm in diameter. Because these implants are skinnier and shorter, we typically place them towards the front of the mouth.
- A wide platform dental implant ranges in size from about 4.5 mm to 6 mm in diameter. We primarily place these implants in the back of the mouth.
- A mini dental implant has a very narrow body ranging from 1.8 mm to 3.3 mm in diameter. We place mini implants when there is not enough space between the tooth roots, and a standard implant will not fit. Mini dental implants are great options for patients who lack sufficient bone density. Patients with bone tissue problems who cannot support a standard implant can receive mini implants.
Get Dental Implants Today
Learn more about your dental implant options in our office. Call (972) 666-1594 for dental implants in Dallas, TX, or schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Dean online.
Please let us know if you have any questions about your implant treatment. We’re here to help you. We serve River Bend, Thunderbird Estates, Far North Dallas, and the surrounding communities.