Dental Implant Options
A dental implant is a titanium screw that can replace the root of a tooth when it fails. Just like a tooth root, it is placed into the jawbone.
Dental implants can be used to support one or more replacement teeth.
The examples below show how dental implants can be used to successfully replace missing teeth in any circumstances
To learn more about the anatomy of a dental implant, see here: https://dorchesterimplants.com/what-is-a-dental-implant/
Implant Retained Crown
This is a dental restoration that replaces a missing tooth by attaching a crown (a cap-like restoration) to a dental implant.
Using an implant crown rather than a traditional bridge means that we are not damaging or relying on the teeth either side of the gap and involving three teeth when the problem is only with one tooth
Implant Retained Bridge
This is a type of dental restoration that replaces multiple missing teeth.
Unlike traditional bridges, which rely on neighboring teeth for support, implant-retained bridges are anchored by dental implants.
Locator Overdenture
With this treatment, the denture rests directly on your gums and is retained by 4 implants placed into your jaw.
The denture is secured to your implants through retentive attachments incorporated into its base.
The level of retention can be adjusted by changing the strength of the attachments.
The denture can easily be removed for cleaning by yourself.
Bar Overdenture
With this treatment, the denture precisely engages a milled bar with retentive attachments that screws down onto four implants.
The denture, which again is removable for cleaning by yourself, is supported by the bar instead of just the gum, and so is very stable and secure.
Different levels of retention can be achieved by changing the retentive attachments.
The lack of movement of the denture means that the components wear much better and as the implants are splinted by the milled bar, they have an even better long-term prognosis.
Screw Retained Full Arch
'All-on-X'
With this option, we can use a full-arch computer designed and milled titanium substructure that is not only light weight but very strong. The teeth are bonded onto the substructure.
Alternatively, we can use milled Zirconium to produce the teeth in one piece.
The teeth are attached to the implants using screws hidden within.
The teeth are very secure and cannot be removed other than by a dentist, it is the closest thing to a new set of real teeth.
See here for more information on full arch treatment and ‘Smile-in-a-day’
Not sure which option is right for you?
A free implant consultation allows us to assess your situation, answer questions, and recommend the most suitable treatment — with no obligation to proceed.