Your dentist may choose to perform dental X-rays which made by dental x-ray machine in order to check for bone density as part of preparing you for dental implants, which require an adequate density in order to support the implants. Removable implants are an option, they can lead to complications with bone loss in tissue-supported areas. The increased success rate of zirconia as a fixed prosthetic has made it a very popular option.

While implants have the mechanical availability to attach many different prosthetic options, many factors must be taken into consideration before a final prosthetic choice is made for the patient. The decision amongst the prosthetic choices available to attach to a implant is based upon treatment planning.

Dental root form implants are manufactured from a highgrade titanium alloy, the surface of which consists of  a micro layer of titanium oxide. The implant surface can also be treated by plasma spraying, acid etching, sandblasting or coated with HA. The removal of  plaque  and  calculus  deposits  from  these implant surfaces with dental equipment designed originally for cleaning natural tooth surfaces can result in major alterations to the delicate titanium oxide layer. Altering the surface topography by roughening the surface may enhance  calculus  and  bacterial  plaque accumulation.

While a removable implant-supported prosthesis can be a more affordable than a fixed option, there are disadvantages to consider. The main disadvantage to a removable implant-supported prosthesis is that this choice is less like natural teeth than fixed options. Removable implant-supported options that are partially tissue-supported also are susceptible to bone loss in the tissue-supported areas and the inherent problems associated with any bone loss.

From a fixed prosthetic standpoint, it seems that fewer screw-retained acrylic hybrid options are now being chosen and utilized as a treatment option. The success rate of zirconia as a screw-retained option has increased the use of zirconia for full-arch implant-supported prostheses. Zirconia, especially as a monolithic option, reduces and virtually eliminates the problems of porcelain chipping and the loss of teeth from the prosthesis.

There are other clinical benefits of zirconia versus acrylic. Zirconia, having the highest modulus of elasticity of any product available in dentistry along with its inherent low porosity and susceptibility to attract debris, allows for the observed high success rate with this prosthetic option. In addition to the cost of repairs, there is often a loss of patient confidence seen with hybrid acrylic bridges that can negatively affect the dental practice. Some thoughts when choosing among the different treatment options for a patient.