How Different Types of Dental Implants Affect Your Treatment Timeline [Video Guide]

Dental implants are titanium screws that we anchor in your jawbone. These screws then integrate with the bone over time, forming a strong bond that supports artificial teeth! However, there are a lot of different implant types to choose from, which makes restoring your smile a hassle. If you’re looking to replace missing teeth with dental implants but are unsure which move to make next, visit the Mini Dental Implant Center of America (MDICA) in Springfield, MO! We offer several different types of dental implants, each with its own uses. To learn which type of implant is best for you and how it may affect your treatment timeline, book a free consultation today.

How Types of Dental Implants Affect Treatment Timelines

Dental implants come in all shapes and sizes, and these features help determine which implant is right for your specific case! During your free implant consultation with us, we will assess your jawbone and discuss your needs to find the right solution for you.

One of the biggest factors in determining which treatment suits your smile is whether you can support immediate-loading implants. Immediate load means your implants are strong enough upon placement to safely anchor a restoration that very same day. But unfortunately, not everyone is eligible for immediate loading.

Delayed Loading Implants

Larger, multi-piece implants are often referred to as “delayed loading” implants. These titanium screws are placed over a period of several months, making them incapable of immediate loading. Once inside your jaw, the implant will begin stabilizing through a process called osseointegration. While effective, this process takes a while.

Delayed loading implants require months of healing. Once your implants are in place, you’ll be provided with a temporary crown, bridge, or denture restoration to keep your smile functional while you wait. Then, when your implants are ready, we load them with your final restoration, permanently restoring your smile.

Immediate Loading Implants

Smaller or one-piece implants may be immediate loading, depending on your jaw structure. These titanium posts have a simpler and quicker placement process than their conventional counterparts, allowing us to place them in a single appointment. Then, as osseointegration begins, we immediately secure a crown or bridge prosthetic on top!

While your implants are still healing, using your restoration actually provides stimulation that facilitates healing. While you can expect to feel some discomfort afterward, it’s easily managed with over-the-counter medications and typically resolves within a day.

Which Types of Dental Implants Are Best for You?

So, which types of dental implants are best for your specific case? The only way to find out is to schedule a free implant consultation with us at the MDICA in Springfield, MO. There, we will assess your jawbone and determine if immediate loading or delayed loading is better for you.

In most cases, we find that patients are eligible for immediate loading with our minimally invasive mini dental implants. These titanium screws require less healing and are just as successful as their conventional counterparts.

Additionally, studies show that immediate loading has a similar survival rate to delayed loading, with additional benefits for patients like you to enjoy!

These benefits include:

• Better periodontal health, as immediate loading reduces the amount of time your gums are exposed to bacteria.
• Better aesthetics, as you never have to go without teeth or use temporary restorations.
• Better patient satisfaction, as you experience shorter treatment times and a better quality of life.

However, it is important to note that you need a relatively healthy jawbone for immediate loading. For patients who have lost significant amounts of bone or have softer bone material, immediate loading will not work in their favor.

In that case, we simply use a delayed-loading method that may involve more appointments as well as some bone grafting to rebuild lost bone structure.

Review the Types of Implants We Offer at the MDICA in Springfield, MO

Dental implants help replace missing teeth by embedding in your jawbone. Once they’re secure, they provide a strong foundation for crowns, bridges, and dentures. But depending on factors like your quality of bone, you may benefit from immediate-loading implants! These titanium screws anchor in your jaw and are instantly stable enough to support a crown or bridge restoration. Book a free implant consultation with us in Springfield, MO, to learn which types of dental implants suit your needs.

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