Implant-Supported Prosthesis: Types & Benefits
What is an Implant-Supported Prosthesis?
An implant-supported prosthesis is a dental prosthetic appliance that is supported by dental implants. The implants that provide support to the prosthesis are known as abutment sites. This is a restorative dental option for missing teeth.
A comprehensive dental examination and diagnosis are necessary to determine your oral condition and the most ideal type of prosthesis for you. It is best to learn about the different types of dental prosthesis before creating an oral care plan for your dental condition.
Types of Implant-Supported Prosthesis
Based on the data gathered from your dental evaluation, Dr. Z will recommend the best oral care treatment plan for you. He will also discuss every implant-supported prosthesis option that is available for your dental condition.
Here are the types of implant-supported prosthesis:
#1 Metal-Acrylic Resin
Metal-acrylic resin is the primary type of fixed implant prosthesis. This type of dental prosthesis provides excellent, durable and reliable results.
With metal-acrylic resin, a metal framework is fabricated and designed to help retain the acrylic resin that is attached to the implants. Metal-acrylic resin dental prosthetics use CAD/CAM in fabricating precision-fit frameworks. This is to ensure that the prosthetics fit snugly in your mouth.
The metal-acrylic resin prosthesis is screw-retained onto the abutment sites. This type of prosthesis is relatively easy to retrieve in cases of repair and adjustments.
#2 Metal-Ceramic
Metal-ceramic prosthesis is a more common form of dental prosthetics. The ceramic material is very similar to tooth enamel, thus, enhancing your dental aesthetics. The color of the ceramic can be customized to look like the remaining natural teeth.
Metal-ceramic prosthesis is designed to provide both durability and reliability. This type of dental prosthetics is fabricated to strongly hold onto the implant while ensuring durable porcelain crowns.
A CAM process is employed to create the metal framework for metal-ceramic prosthesis. A full-contour wax-up of the framework is cast in a ceramic-metal alloy to ensure full-arch precision.
#3 All-Ceramic
An all-ceramic prosthesis is similar to metal-ceramic minus the metal frame. The substructure of all-ceramic dental prosthetics is made from ceramic or zirconia instead of metal. This type of prosthesis is highly recommended for patients with allergic reactions to metal.
These are the 3 types of implant-supported prosthesis that may be recommended to restore your missing teeth. Implant-supported prosthesis provides many oral health benefits for you and your loved ones.
Benefits of Implant-Supported Prosthesis
Modern-day dentistry uses innovative dental restorations such as prostheses to help patients restore their missing teeth or treat damaged and deteriorating dental structures. Here are the benefits of implant-supported prosthesis:
#1 Functions Like Natural Teeth
Both resin and ceramic materials used for dental prosthesis can be customized to look like your natural teeth. These resin and ceramic dental prosthetics are attached to dental implants making it more stable and fixed. Thus, these dental prostheses also function like natural teeth.
#2 More Comfortable
Does your denture make you lose your appetite?
Do you slur when you talk because your denture is loose?
It is uncomfortable for you to smile?
An implant-supported prosthesis can help you chew food and eat better since they are securely attached to dental implants. These dental prosthetics can also help you speak and smile comfortably.
#3 Boosts Self-Esteem
The use of implant-supported prosthesis can boost your self-esteem because this type of dental prosthetic stays in place. They are securely attached to abutment sites that hold the prosthetics in place.
Implant-supported prostheses stay in place without the need for adhesives. As they fuse with your mouth structure, they look and function like natural teeth. Thus, helping you feel more confident when smiling, eating and speaking.
These are just 3 of the many benefits of using implant-supported prostheses. Other benefits include improved oral health, easier oral care maintenance, durability, and cost-efficiency.
Dr. Z. will take an x-ray of your mouth structure and evaluate your dental condition. After a thorough evaluation, he will explain all available dental options, and recommend the most ideal implant-supported prosthetic procedure for your dental condition.
Contact us at 704-888-6247 to learn more about our implant-supported prosthesis and other cosmetic and restorative dental treatments. You may also book an appointment via our 24/7 online scheduling system.