How to Choose Dental Implants
Before we get to the elements of dental implant choice, just about everybody is suitable for dental implants. Even if someone has told you implants are not possible, it is usually a question of time or building up the bone to accept the implant.
Everyone will need a CT scan at some point, but we can discuss your case with or without your current dentist and help get to the answer.
There are several different types of dental implants and dental implant systems. We cover the difference between basic and cosmetic implants after a few common
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How Many Dental Implants Do I Need
As few as possible to achieve a strong bite. Fewer dental implants are the way to go when replacing all the teeth in the upper/lower jaw. Less is more.
Historically (which for implant dentistry means over 5 years ago) it was assumed that one needed as many implants as possible to support a full set of teeth in the upper or lower jaw.
Glib terms like the ‘belt and braces’ approach were bandied about – with no evidence other than a vague feeling.
Basic vs Cosmetic Dental Implants: How to Choose?
When it comes to choosing between simple and cosmetic dental implants, it’s important to understand the differences and weigh the options that best suit your needs and budget.
To help you make an informed decision, we’ve created a comparison table that highlights the key differences between simple and cosmetic dental implants. So, whether you’re looking for a low-cost solution or the ultimate smile makeover, you’ll be able to make an informed choice with ease.
Cosmetic Dental Implant, Surgery, and Crown
Titanium Base
High Quality german made Ankylos implants
Titanium Base
High Quality german made Ankylos implants
Post (Abutment)
Off the shelf titanium abutments which are mass produced and therefore not fitted perfectly to the gum. In certain cases a small area of metal may be visible around the gum using these posts. Not as strong as Atlantis custom abutments.
Also they can only be used where the implant is able to be placed in the bone directly beneath the tooth space: Not suitable for angled implants. Back teeth only.
Post (Abutment)
Custom made titanium abutment by Atlantis. Atlantis is the premium lab facility in Europe which produces titanium custom implant abutments made to fit the gum exactly in every case.
These are bespoke precision, high quality components: Suitable for all situations including angled implants, front and back teeth.
Crown Description
Recommended for back teeth only
The crown: milled on our digital CEREC milling machine in-house. Single shade teeth with no detailing/staining etc. The milling machine makes these teeth from a block of resin-ceramic hybrid which approximates the colour of the adjacent teeth. Great for back teeth.
These teeth are milled with a hole in the middle so that they can be glued to the stock abutment and then screwed in place. The hole is then filled with white filling material. These holes are usually visible.
Crown Description
Recommended for front and back teeth
Cosmetic implant crowns are bespoke items, hand finished by our master ceramist who painstakingly copies the adjacent tooth colour and characteristics using high resolution digital photos. They are the closest match to a real tooth that we can offer.
These teeth are designed to glue directly to the atlantis abutment so there is no screw hole in these crowns.
Crown Material
Ceramic-Resin Hybrid, not as strong as Zirconia
Crown Material
Zirconia – the strongest ceramic available
Surface finish
Polished but not High Gloss
Surface finish
Glazed High Gloss
Titanium Base
Basic Dental Implants
High Quality german made Ankylos implants
Cosmetic Dental Implants
High Quality german made Ankylos implants
Post (Abutment)
Basic Dental Implants
We wrote this section to show the difference between types of implant elements.
Off the shelf titanium abutments which are mass produced and therefore not fitted perfectly to the gum. In certain cases a small area of metal may be visible around the gum using these posts. Not as strong as Atlantis custom abutments.
Also they can only be used where the implant can be placed in the bone directly beneath the tooth space: Not suitable for angled implants. Back teeth only.
Cosmetic Dental Implants
Custom made titanium abutment by Atlantis. Atlantis is the premium lab facility in Europe which produces titanium custom implant abutments made to fit the gum exactly in every case.
These are bespoke precision, high quality components: Suitable for all situations including angled implants, front and back teeth.
Crown Description
Basic Dental Implants
Recommended for back teeth only
The crown: milled on our digital CEREC milling machine in-house. Single shade teeth with no detailing/staining etc. The milling machine makes these teeth from a block of resin-ceramic hybrid which approximates the colour of the adjacent teeth. Great for back teeth.
These teeth are milled with a hole in the middle so that they can be glued to the stock abutment and then screwed in place. The hole is then filled with white filling material. These holes are usually visible.
Cosmetic Dental Implants
Recommended for front and back teeth
Cosmetic implant crowns are bespoke items, hand-finished by our master ceramist, who painstakingly copies the adjacent tooth colour and characteristics using high-resolution digital photos. They are the closest match to a real tooth that we can offer.
These teeth are designed to glue directly to the atlantis abutment so there is no screw hole in these crowns.
Crown Material
Basic Dental Implants
Ceramic-Resin Hybrid, not as strong as Zirconia
Cosmetic Dental Implants
Zirconia – the strongest ceramic available
Surface finish
Basic Dental Implants
Polished but not high gloss
Cosmetic Dental Implants
Glazed high gloss
The Consultation Considerations
Elements of trying to achieve the perfect dental implant.
01
Colour Matching
We begin with a discussion of what our patients want to achieve with their new smile. It is a broad church: some patients want the whitest teeth available, some want them to just look natural and fresh – without dazzling their friends and family. Our consultation process will discover what you really want your teeth to look like – so we can go about delivering your goal.
Ceramic (high strength porcelain) is the gold standard material: more stain resistant than natural tooth enamel and more dimensionally stable than acrylic. We have patients with ceramic crown nand bridge teeth which are still going strong after 15 years.
02
Shaping
Every tooth and gum is unique, and shaping the gum and tooth is where the art of the dentist and ceramist comes in. If the tooth is the image on the canvas, the gums are the frame around it. Harmonising both picture and frame creates aesthetic excellence
Avoiding food traps, following individual gum lines, preventing unsightly gaps whilst allowing for easy cleaning. It is a sculptural process. We utilise digital virtual 3D models to help us visualise the tooth and gum shapes
03
Avoiding Bulky teeth
We want to use as few implants as we can to preserve bone for the future and facilitate easy cleaning. But in doing so we need to ensure that the implants are well supported in the best quality bone.
This is a function of implant placement. Our implants can be angled to find the best bone area to support them, resulting in optimum stability. The frame and implants need to be strong without being bulky. They support each other if done well. Synergy. The least bulky teeth-implant-frame structures (bridges) combine titanium implants with Zirconia ceramic crowns supported on titanium frames which connect directly onto the implants. This design means that 90% of our cases can be completed with just 4 implants. Far from reducing the lifetime of the implants and bridges, using 4 implants actually outlasts full arch bridges supported by 8 implants. Why? Because cleaning around just 4 implants is twice as easy as cleaning around 8…and the efficacy of the home cleaning has a direct effect on how long the implants will last. So less really is more!
04
Costs
Value for money is hard to measure, but we try very hard to achieve it.
Dental surgeries cost a lot to run, and ‘chair time’ is what generally sets the costs. We already reduce appointments with our same day weld one innovative implant system.
Ultimately, taking your time without taking too long is a function of confidence in what you’re doing. We spend enough time to achieve that perfect balance, without unnecessary delays.
We’d rather do two cases a day rather than one. But what we can’t have is rushed appointments. That’s no good for anyone.
The importance of regular maintenance
Even top-end cars need regular servicing if they are to continue to perform as expected in the long term. Our hygienists are trained in implant care and optimal implant cleaning techniques. Complex implant cases require regular maintenance, monitoring and servicing. Just like a Lexus.
Free Consultation
Without seeing things for ourselves, we can’t tell people what their options are.
And so, with that in mind, we are happy to offer free consultations, as this is a big decision for most people. We are careful to take budget, comfort and appearance into account when explaining all the available choices. There is never any pressure to proceed, certainly not on the day.
We set out to be a friendly practice and try to provide everybody with what’s right for them at an affordable cost. We hope our implant dentist reviews give that impression.
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Dental Implants Replacement
At some point, dental implants will need replacing. Our expertise is in placing and securing implants when little spare bone is available. Please feel free to come and talk with us.
Although, with proper hygiene and care, the crown attached to the implant may not need to be replaced for 15-20 years. In some cases, they may last a few more decades.
