What types of dental implants are there?

To support dental prostheses, osseointegrated implants are now used in endosseous. These can be classified according to several criteria: 

• Because of their size, the implants can be long standard or short, wide, standard or narrow. 
• Considering the steps in performing the treatment, they can be immediate or delayed. 
• Depending on its connection to the prosthesis, internal or external connection. 
• According to the laying technique, they can be submerged or not submerged. 

Which implant is used in each case?

To choose the most appropriate implant is necessary to know the needs and expectations of the patient, so the specialist in Dentistry will always carry out a complete analysis of the area to be implanted.

Nowadays there are great techniques for this, which allow us to know the type of gingivitis present in the area and the availability of bone, both in quantity of available bone and in its quality ... Once the analysis and diagnosed the needs of the patient will be chosen the treatment that best suits your desires.

Short or narrow implants are those used when the available bone is scarce in height or width. If the tooth to be replaced is in the area where aesthetics are very important, single-phase implants are used to replace the tooth in a single session. These are the so-called immediate implants, which are placed at the same time as the extraction of the tooth to be replaced, or immediate loading , in which the implant and the prosthesis are placed in the same session.

Advantages and disadvantages of implants

The different types of implants have been appearing in the market to solve the different cases presented in the consultation. For example, external-connection implants are the first to appear more than forty years ago. Subsequently, the internal connection appeared to correct problems of loosening of the screws.

All systems have their advantages if they are used for what they have been created. And is that a correct and accurate diagnosis avoids all kinds of problems. On the contrary, the eventualities arise when they are used without taking into account the indications.

The appearance of novelties has been a constant in the last years, improving the shape and designs of the implants and the contact surfaces between bone and implant. For example, the biomechanical industry has improved the designs, all today being manufactured in a conical shape and with rounded and self-tapping turns at the apex. Thus, research focuses on getting implants shorter, narrower and integrate faster.

In this way, today we can put implants in situations that we did not dare to do before because we did not have the necessary means. From here I encourage patients who are still suspicious of this technique to seek a good professional and take advantage of these treatments.