Any oral surgery carries a risk of infection. In most cases, the risk is small, and proper post-operative care goes a long way in keeping your smile healthy. But even with good oral care, some implants come with a higher vulnerability to infection. Multi-piece dental implants carry a higher risk of infections like peri-implantitis, while one-piece implants help reduce that risk. To learn which implant is best for your smile, book a free implant consultation with us in Jasper, AL. There, we’ll review your implant options and find the one that fits your smile and budget.
One-Piece Implants: How They Work
A one-piece implant consists of a single titanium post. Compared to a multi-piece implant, this design is much sleeker.
Instead of having the implant body and abutment come separately, the abutment is already part of the body, allowing us to place them in a single appointment. We simply create a pilot hole in your jawbone and carefully screw the implant post inside. Once in your jaw, the implant will immediately begin to stabilize.
Thanks to their one-piece design, these implants lead to a much faster, more comfortable healing period. In most cases, one-piece dental implants only need a few weeks before they’re secure enough to support a final crown, bridge, or denture. Unlike multi-piece implants, which take months to heal, these titanium posts save you time and money.
One-Piece Implants: Your Defense Against Peri-Implantitis
Beyond a simpler procedure, one-piece implants also offer a major structural advantage. Thanks to their unique design, these implants significantly reduce your risk of peri-implantitis.
Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory infection, like gum disease, that specifically affects the tissues around an implant. With two-piece implants, the abutment is screwed securely onto the implant body. However, this system does leave a small microgap between the pieces. The microgap is almost invisible, but it is big enough for bacteria. Over time, bacteria will collect on your implants and in these seams.
While a good oral hygiene routine should help reduce vulnerability, it doesn’t eliminate the risk. Patients can still be affected by peri-implantitis, which may have a major impact on their oral health. Without treatment, peri-implantitis can cause:
- Gum inflammation
- Bleeding gums
- Bone loss
Once the infection reaches below your gums, it will begin to affect the bone supporting your implant. The bacteria will deteriorate your jawbone, causing permanent damage to the bone tissue. Over time, you may find that your implants have become loose. As they begin to shift, losing the bone that anchors them in place, your implants can even fail! While this phenomenon is rare (titanium implants have around a 95% success rate over 10 years), it is possible.
The One-Piece Implant Difference
At our office in Jasper, AL, we like to say that the best treatment for infections like peri-implantitis is prevention. Not only does prevention include maintaining your oral health, but it also may involve using one-piece implants instead!
These titanium posts don’t have seams between components, significantly reducing the risk of bacterial buildup. While peri-implantitis is still possible in one-piece implant cases, it’s much less likely thanks to their protective design. But not everyone is eligible for these implants either. The right implant type for you depends on your jawbone quality, your specific case, and your budget.
Restore Your Smile at Bivona Family Dental in Jasper, AL!
Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth, but they don’t come without risks. A multi-piece dental implant has small seams between parts where bacteria can collect. Without treatment, bacteria can lead to an infection called peri-implantitis, which deteriorates the gum and bone tissue around your implant. One-piece implants have a much sleeker design, eliminating the small gaps between parts. This significantly reduces your risk of infection and helps protect your smile from bacteria. To learn if you’re eligible for one-piece implant treatment, book a free consultation with us in Jasper, AL.
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