The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Short Dental Implants
At Sheen Dental we’ve been placing dental implants in Richmond for several decades and over this time we’ve used a combination of standard implants and, when preferred, short dental implants. The reason we use both is because there are occasions when short dental implants are advantageous over their longer relatives. Let’s take a closer look at how they can help.
Firstly what determines a short dental implant.
As the name suggests shorter dental implants have a smaller titanium root than the standard variety. Where a normal implant has a root length of between 10 and 13mm, a short implant has an equivalent root of just 5-8 mm.
So when are they used?
In the main they’re used to avoid hitting a nerve that’s very close to the position that the implant needs to be inserted into. Primarily this is the lower back molar area, but they can also be used in areas where access is difficult, or in areas where there is insufficient bone. Of course when there isn’t sufficient bone, then in the majority of situations it’s often better to rebuild the bone first of all, using bone grafting techniques. However when this isn’t possible, shorter implants are often a preferred substitute.
Another alternative is to reposition the nerve altogether but this can be a tricky operation at best. In fact some dentists say that it’s a bit like “Trying to relocate a large electrical pylon, purely to build your house in the perfect spot.” For this reason shorter dental implants avoid the need for nerve placement surgery.
So do they have any disadvantages?
Because they’re shorter they have less room for anchorage than your standard implant does and for this reason they’re not ideal for supporting individual crowns, particularly in areas of the mouth where more bite pressure is exerted. Instead shorter implants function better where prosthetic teeth are connected for added strength.
The bottom line is that given the right situations short implants have been fully proven to work. As a result, patients who are fitted with the shorter variety often avoid the need for both bone grafting and/or nerve placement surgeries. Ultimately this can bring both the cost and the process time down.
If you want to find out more about short dental implants in Richmond and how they may be able to help your situation then contact Sheen Dental and arrange a free, no-obligation consultation. Here you can get all your questions and concerns answered allowing you to make a fully informed decision about your dental future. Bookings an be made via our website at www.sheendentalimplants.co.uk or by phoning us directly on 020 8876 5277.