Types of Dental Implants & How They Work

Most implant procedures are successful. However, there is still a risk of incorrect healing.

Different Types of Dental Implants & Techniques

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, adults age 20 to 64 have an average of 25 of their 32 natural teeth left. For many of these adults, dental implants are a beneficial management strategy for missing teeth. Dental implants allow increased restoration of normal mouth function while avoiding the common pitfalls of other restoration methods.

Dental implants have evolved tremendously throughout history, especially within the modern era. Recent technological advances have expanded the types of implants available, as well as the methods used for their insertion. These advances benefit both patients and clinicians by empowering them to select and implement a configuration that is tailored to their situation. Learn more about the types of dental implants available and current implant techniques used.

What Are the Different Types of Dental Implants?

Though all dental implants restore lost teeth, they can do so in different ways. The positioning, materials and brand help distinguish each type of dental implant.

Types of Dental Implant Positioning

The positioning of an implant is determined by a patient’s jawbone health and preference. Depending on these factors, you may work with one of the following implant types:

• Endosteal implants: Endosteal implants are placed directly into the jawbone. They are typically made from titanium and shaped like small screws. The endosteal variety is the most common type of dental implant because it protects a patient’s jawbone from deteriorating over time. An endosteal implant requires a good amount of bone density for insertion. Patients with low bone density may require a bone graft to strengthen the jaw before the procedure.
• Subperiosteal implants: Subperiosteal implants are placed under the gums. A key difference between subperiosteal and endosteal implants is that subperiosteal devices are not embedded in the jawbone, but placed on or above it. The implants typically used in patients who do not have enough healthy jawbone to support an endosteal implant and do not want to complete a bone graft to rebuild the jawbone.

A doctor will assess a patient’s jawbone density to determine which implant position will best protect the mouth while taking the patient’s preferences under consideration.

Types of Dental Implant Materials

Dental implants can be made from a few different materials. Each material affects an implant’s price and has unique advantages.

Most dental implants are made from titanium or zirconia:

• Titanium implants: Titanium has long been used for hip or knee replacements because it fuses well with bone. The metal has been time-tested to be a successful and long-lasting option for dental implants. It’s strong and durable, yet lightweight. Some people aren’t good candidates for titanium implants because of allergies or autoimmune disease.
• Zirconia implants: Zirconia is a metal-free crystal material that is fairly new to being used in dental implants. The one-piece construction of zirconia makes for a shorter surgery when compared to titanium’s three pieces. There’s also no chance that zirconia could agitate a metal allergy. Because zirconia implants are newer, there isn’t as much evidence to support how long-lasting they might be. In addition, zirconia implants are more expensive than titanium options.

Implants are also sometimes made from gold, stainless steel or cobalt-chromium. These alternative metals have lower success rates, however, and are not used as often. Based on current studies, titanium is the best material for dental implants.

Brands of Dental Implants

Whether you’re a patient seeking an implant or a professional who inserts implants, you have a choice when it comes to the dental implant brand you use. Researching different implant brands and their products can help you make an informed decision.

Here are some factors to consider when searching for the best dental implant brand:

• How many years of experience does the company have?
• What kind of reviews does the product have?
• What do dentists recommend?
• What materials and quality do you see in the product?
• What kind of research and technology does the company have?
• Is the product FDA compliant?

Though researching implant companies is a must, remember that dental implants are highly effective. Their cost-effectiveness, success rate and contribution to a patient’s oral health make them one of the best options available for tooth replacement. Take your time finding a company you trust to maximize the benefits dental implants offer.

What Are the Different Dental Implant Techniques?

Once you’ve selected a dental implant type that works best for a situation, you can determine how to put it in place. Several different techniques exist to secure dental implants in place.

Traditional Implant Technique

A traditional implant technique usually starts with an endosteal implant made from three parts. The implant itself appears similar to a screw and acts as the artificial tooth’s root. This part is embedded in the jaw during surgery. There is typically one implant for each artificial tooth, but this can vary based on the number of missing teeth a patient has.

The middle connector piece is called the abutment. It attaches to the top of the implant and holds the crown of the tooth. After an implant has healed for several weeks, a crown that has been custom-made to match the patient’s other teeth is attached to the abutment to complete the dental implant.

The traditional technique requires methodical phases that may take place over several months. While this may be ideal for patients who have lost a few teeth, there are alternative implant techniques that may work better in different scenarios.

Alternative Implant Techniques

Alternative implant techniques may expedite or improve the traditional technique for eligible patients. There are several options:

• Immediate load dental implants: Using this method, doctors place a temporary tooth onto the implant right after they have inserted it. Traditional dental implants require a period of healing before a crown is placed. The immediate load technique incorporates a temporary tooth — which is eventually switched out for a long-term crown — right after the surgery. In a sense, this allows patients to get dental implants in one day. This technique may be an option if the patient has enough natural bone and the implant is extremely secure.
• Mini dental implants:Mini implants are close to the size of a toothpick. A mini implant requires less invasive insertion and is typically used to stabilize lower dentures. If a patient is missing most of their teeth and uses dentures, mini dental implants may help keep the dentures in place to a greater degree. Mini implants typically aren’t used to substitute normal implants because they cannot withstand the full pressure of eating and biting.
• All-on-4 implants: All-on-4 implants may be a solution for patients who are missing most or all of their top or bottoms teeth. This technique provides full mouth dental implants using just four titanium implants in the jawbone. It may be a good option for patients who have adequate jawbone density to support a full arch of teeth. Though All-on-4 implants can be convenient, they are not for everyone. A doctor and patient will work together to consider if this method may be a good option.

Choosing a dental implant and placement technique requires close collaboration between a patient and doctor. If the traditional technique is the best option, the patient and doctor will walk through the following steps together.

The Dental Implant Procedure

Dental implants require a high level of collaboration between patients and doctors. At each step, patients and doctors can decide what methods make sense and how to proceed accordingly. Here is what you can expect before, during and after a dental implant procedure.

Before the Procedure

Once a doctor has identified the need for dental implants, they will work with the patient to determine the details of the procedure. This may include making decisions about:

• Endosteal versus subperiosteal implants
• Titanium versus zirconia implants
• What brand of implants to use
• A traditional technique versus an alternative technique

Before the procedure, a surgeon can explain how they will put the dental implants in and ensure the patient is adequately prepared for the unique dental implant type and technique that will be used.

During the Procedure

1. If there is still a tooth in question, the oral surgeon can extract it right before the implant insertion.
2. The surgeon will numb the patient’s mouth with local anesthesia.
3. The surgeon will make an incision into the patient’s gums to expose the bone below.
4. If inserting an endosteal implant, the surgeon will use a special drill to create a space in the jawbone for the implant.
5. The surgeon will place the implant into the hole and secure it.
6. Depending on the type and technique used, surgeons may repeat this process several times in different locations.
7. The surgeon will close all holes with one to two stitches.

If using an immediate load or All-on-4 technique, surgeons will then place a temporary crown onto the implant. The implant will need to heal for several weeks before receiving the permanent crown.

After the Procedure

Depending on the type of anesthesia used during the procedure, patients will feel varying levels of alertness afterward. While recovering from a dental implant procedure, a patient may experience common symptoms such as:

• Bruised gums or skin
• Swollen face or gums
• Minor bleeding
• Pain at the surgery site

A dentist may prescribe pain medications or antibiotics to help ease any discomfort. Following the surgery, patients will need to eat soft foods for seven to 10 days while their mouth heals. Healing time will depend on the number of teeth implanted, the patient’s bone health and the patient’s overall health. While the implant is healing, a dentist can develop a realistic crown to place on the implant. Once the implant has healed, a surgeon can attach it to the abutment.

Dental Implant Procedure Tools

A patient’s safety and the accuracy of their implant is of utmost importance. Accordingly, there are several tools available for oral surgeons to help ensure precise placements. Known as guided solutions, options include a surgical guide for dental implants as well as drill guides.

Guides can help surgeons place implants in the correct place, plan spacing and give each patient a custom solution. Manufacturers offer guides that utilize a variety of technology for different applications.

Here are the guided dental implant solutions Hiossen® Implant offers:

• One Guide KIT: This kit includes precise drill tools and guides. By adjusting drilling sequences based on bone density, surgeons can be as accurate, efficient and safe as possible. The kit features initial drills, flattening drills, a OneGuide drill, a tissue punch tool and drivers. It also features a 3D-printed guide based on a patient’s CT scan and mouth.
• Parallel Guide KIT: This kit is a dental implant drill guide that helps to make implant locating and directing simple without the need for a stent. Adaptable for both single and bridge surgeries, the kit has four components: an initial drill, guide pins to check the drill path, single guides to represent the size of the implant crowns and bridge guides for measuring the space from one drill point to the next.
• Smart Guide KIT: This kit provides a valuable dental implant guide without the need for CT photographing. With formed guides that sit atop teeth, surgeons can use the kit to drill an appropriate path and keep costs down for patients. The Smart Guide kit includes a single guide, small guide, large guide and a free-end guide. Each guide is designed to form to a tooth after being immersed in hot liquid, which minimizes slipping and keeps the guide in place. The guides can also be used with guide pins to make sure the placement is accurate during the formation process.

The truth about dental implants is that they require careful planning and individual attention. The tools, types and techniques used make a difference for each patient. It is worth it to invest in high-quality products and solutions that give each patient the best experience possible.

Choose Hiossen Implant for Your Dental Implant Solutions

Whether you’re a patient considering a dental implant or a clinician looking to offer the best implants in your practice, Hiossen Implant has a high-quality solution for you. Our dental implants provide state-of-the-art solutions to give patients and doctors peace of mind — from our implants made with bio-compatible titanium and designed for faster healing to our surgical guide solutions that allow for increased accuracy.

At Hiossen Implant, we aim to provide the best solutions for all individuals involved in the dental implant process. To learn more about how our dental implants or surgical kits could improve your experience, contact us today.

Types of Dental Implants & How They Work

NewMouth is reader supported. We may earn a commission if you purchase something using one of our links. Advertising Disclosure.

In this article

What are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root surgically implanted into your jawbone. It is a popular tooth replacement option after tooth loss or extraction.

Dental implants have resulted in successful dental restorations for over 30 years. More than 5 million dental implants are placed in the U.S. every year.

Dental Implant Structure: How They Work

The body of a dental implant consists of three pieces that serve different functions:

1. The implant (or screw) serves as the tooth’s artificial root.
2. The abutment is the connecting post between the implant screw and crown.
3. The crown is the ‘fake’ tooth that rests on top of the abutment. They match the shape and look of your natural teeth.

Dental Implant Techniques & Materials

Dental implants come in two different forms, including:

Endosteal Implant

An endosteal implant (root form implant) is the most commonly used today. It is made with titanium, small screws, and alloplastic material, which refers to an artificial tissue graft.

Endosteal implants are surgically inserted into the jawbone. Over time, the implants bond with the natural bone.

Subperiosteal Implant

Subperiosteal implants are extremely rare. However, they are a better option for people with insufficient natural jawbones to support endosteal implants.

A subperiosteal implant is placed under the gums (on or above the jawbone). It is not surgically inserted into the jawbone.

4 Types of Dental Implants

There are different types of dental implants available:

1. Single Tooth Implant

A single dental implant is ideal when one tooth is missing, and you want to replace it for aesthetics, comfort, and function. It requires one dental crown that connects to the implant screw.

The average cost of a single tooth implant can range from $3,000 to $4,000.

2. Implant-Supported Bridge

Implant-supported bridges are ideal for people with several missing teeth. The implant acts as an anchor for the bridge (instead of a natural tooth).

A fixed dental bridge restores function by preventing other teeth from moving. It also improves eating and speaking functions.

An implant-supported bridge costs between $5,000 and $16,000.

3. All-on-4 Dental Implants

All-on-4 implants are recommended when a patient is looking for a secure solution for many missing teeth. This solution restores your entire upper or lower jaw (or both arches).

This is a permanent restoration. However, the overdenture can be removed for cleaning and dental exams.

The average cost ranges from $15,000 to $20,000 per arch.

4. 3-on-6 Dental Implants

An alternative to an implant-retained denture is a 3-on-6 implant. It consists of three individual dental bridges attached to six dental implants.

The cost of 3-on-6 implants can range from $10,000 to $15,000 per arch.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants have their benefits. However, they can also come with disadvantages.

Here are the benefits of dental implants:

• Allows you to chew and speak normally
• Designed to look like your natural teeth, improving your self-esteem
• Reduces stress on your remaining natural teeth by offering independent support
• Preserves bone, reducing the appearance of aging
• Helps prevent loss of jaw height
• Easy to clean and care for
• With proper care, implants can last between 15 and 25 years

Here are the disadvantages of getting dental implants:

• Will not whiten like your natural teeth
• Requires an invasive surgery for placement
• They are expensive (but the long-term benefits are usually worth it)
• Bone grafting may be necessary before placement if you do not have enough natural bone remaining

Dental Implant Procedure: Step-By-Step

Dental implant procedures are a type of outpatient surgery. Patients can return home on the same day of surgery.

The procedure can take many months to complete due to the healing process and artificial tooth (crown) placement. Professionals who can perform a dental implant surgery include:

• Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
• Periodontists
• Prosthodontists

The procedure is separated into multiple steps, depending on the number of implants a patient needs:

1. Remove the Tooth

If the damaged tooth is still in your mouth, the dentist will extract it. This step is not necessary if your tooth is already missing.

2. Grafting and Jawbone Preparation

Patients who undergo implant surgery may have thin or soft jawbones. In this case, bone grafting will be necessary.

It improves the quantity of bone and ensures the procedure doesn’t fail. The healing process for bone grafts takes a few months before a dental implant can be placed.

3. Implant Placement

During the actual procedure, the oral surgeon exposes the bone by cutting the gums.

An oral surgeon or periodontist drills holes into the bone. Then they position the implant (a post) deep into the bone, which functions as the tooth’s root.

If a front tooth is being restored, the dentist will fill the space with a temporary removable solution while the implant heals below the gums. If it is a back tooth, they will not place anything over it.

4. Healing and Growth

Osseointegration begins after the metal implant is placed in your jawbone. This is when the supporting bone begins to bond with the implant.

This process can take several months to complete and ensures the base is sturdy enough to support an artificial tooth (dental crown).

5. Abutment Placement (Crown Preparation)

After the healing process is complete, your dentist will place an abutment on top of the implant post.

The abutment extends the implant above the soft tissue (gums). This step allows for easy placement of the dental crown.

6. Crown Placement (Artificial Tooth)

Once the implant grows into the bone and is strong enough to support chewing, your dentist will make new impressions of your mouth.

A dental technician will create a custom dental crown in a lab. The dental crown looks similar to your natural teeth and sits on the abutment (connector). It becomes the only visible part of the implant.

7. Aftercare

Pain medications and antibiotics are usually prescribed post-op. It is important to only eat soft foods and practice excellent oral care habits during the healing process.

Restrict the intake of alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco to see the best results. Regular check-ups are necessary during the first few months after the procedure. You should also keep up with regular dental exams post-surgery.

Side Effects and Complications of Dental Implant Surgery

Most implant procedures are successful. However, there is still a risk of incorrect healing.

To reduce this risk, practice good oral health care at home, including proper nutrition, brushing, and flossing.

As with any dental surgery, minor discomfort is normal. Common side effects(that aren’t threatening to the implant) include:

• Gum and face swelling
• Bruises on the skin or gums
• Minor bleeding
• Pain where the implant was placed

More serious complications that can develop after an implant is placed include:

• Damage to your surrounding teeth, gums, and/or blood vessels
• Infection at the implant site
• Prolonged bleeding
• Sinus issues and pressure (if the implant is placed in your upper jaw)
• Fractured jaw and jaw pain
• Nerve damage, which can lead to tingling in the mouth or lips

How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?

Dental implants cost between $1,000 and $4,500 per tooth.

Does Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Some insurance plans cover dental implants, while others do not or only cover part of the procedure. For example, some dental insurance plans may cover the crown attached to the implant.

Some medical insurance plans will cover part of the surgery if the procedure is medically necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are dental implants painful?

You will most likely experience minor pain after surgery, but over-the-counter pain relievers can help reduce discomfort.

The pain should diminish after about a week. However, the implant can take up to 6 months to fully heal.

Are dental implants safe?

Implant dentistry has been practiced for over 50 years.

Dental implants are a safe and successful tooth replacement treatment option when done correctly and by the right specialists (e.g., periodontists and oral surgeons). Most people who get implants do not experience any problems, and the procedures have a high success rate.

How long do dental implants last?

If you take care of your replacement tooth and practice good oral hygiene, it can last between 15 and 25 years, sometimes longer. Some people get their implants replaced earlier due to cosmetic concerns.

How common are dental implants?

In the U.S., more than 5 million dental implants are placed every year.

How common is dental implant failure?

It is estimated that about 5 to 10 percent of dental implants fail.

Why do dental implants fail?

The most common reason for failure is unsuccessful osseointegration (which means the implant has not bonded correctly with your jawbone). Other causes include allergic reactions, tissue damage, infections, sinus problems, smoking, and body rejection.

What are the symptoms of a failed dental implant?

Symptoms can include a loose or shifting implant, swollen gums, gum recession around the restoration, severe pain near the implant, and difficulty chewing.