Find the Best Implant Options in 2026 [A Video Guide]

In the past several decades, implant dentistry has come a long way. The discovery of osseointegration, coined by Per-Ingvar Brånemark, marked a new era of innovation that continues to evolve today. In the early 1950s, Dr. Brånemark accidentally discovered that titanium was biocompatible, meaning it interacted well with living bone. Once inside the bone, the metal facilitates new bone growth and integrates with your jaw to form a strong, sturdy connection. With implants placed in your jawbone, we use this connection to anchor artificial teeth, effectively restoring your smile through osseointegration. Currently, implant dentistry is more innovative than ever before. In 2026, the best implant options are available for patients like you right here in Syracuse, NY!

Why Use Dental Implants To Replace Missing Teeth?

While there are many tooth replacement options, we recommend dental implants above all else. Not only are these titanium posts super secure, but they also bring back stability you didn’t even know you were missing!

Natural teeth have roots that embed in your jawbone, providing essential stimulation when you chew. But without teeth, your bone loses stimulation, causing a gradual loss of bone mass and volume. Dental implants replace these tooth roots, both securing your smile and stimulating your jaw! With implants in place, you can keep your jawbone healthy with a confident smile.

Additionally, dental implants are versatile. These titanium posts are able to meet your needs, whether you have one missing tooth, multiple missing teeth, or a full arch.

If you’re missing a single tooth, we will replace it with a single implant and a crown, avoiding the need to alter the adjacent teeth with a traditional bridge.

When multiple teeth are missing, we place several implants to support a bridge that spans the gaps in your smile. These restorations are often preferred over multiple crowns due to their added strength.

For patients with ill-fitting dentures that move around, we stabilize them with dental implants. Your denture will snap securely onto your implants, providing retention and stability.

Lastly, we offer a remarkable option called Fix-on-Six, which is the closest you can get to replicating your natural teeth. This restoration is designed to stay in your mouth permanently, providing a natural feel. And while we will remove it for routine maintenance, you’ll never take it out on your own.

Our Best Implant Options in 2026

At Brent Bradford, DDS, we offer two main types of dental implants.

Conventional dental implants are larger in diameter, while mini dental implants are smaller. Of course, both implant types have their uses. But which implant is right for you depends on your bone quality and your budget.

The Conventional Dental Implant vs. the Mini Dental Implant

The primary distinctions between a conventional implant and a mini implant lie in their structure, procedure, and price.

• Structure: Conventional dental implants and mini dental implants are both made of strong titanium. Their design, however, is quite different. Conventional implants are any implant 3 mm in diameter or more that has a multi-piece structure. The design is effective, but there are areas where bacteria can gather, potentially creating problems down the line. In contrast, mini implants are less than 3 mm in diameter and have a sleek one-piece design, reducing the risk of peri-implantitis and simplifying their placement process.
• Procedure: To place conventional dental implants, we typically need to perform a bone graft first, rebuilding lost bone structure to fit the implant. But this process increases your treatment time and requires incisions and stitches that make healing more complex. Mini dental implants are much smaller and typically don’t require a bone graft. Instead, we use a minimally invasive procedure to place mini implants in just one appointment, with minimal healing necessary.
• Price: With fewer components and appointments to pay for (while also avoiding a bone graft), mini implants are much less expensive than conventional implants. In many cases, these implants are even half the cost!

To learn which implant is right for you, book a free implant consultation with us. There, we will assess your jawbone using a 3D digital X-ray and determine which implant best suits your needs.

Find the Best Implant Options in 2026 in Syracuse, NY

Since the discovery of osseointegration, the world of implant dentistry has only gotten better. Over the years, innovation has led us to 2026, where we offer the best implant options yet! At Brent Bradford, DDS, we provide both conventional dental implants and mini dental implants. These titanium screws are equally effective, but each offers distinct advantages. The best implant for your smile depends on your jawbone and budget.

Book a free implant consultation to learn if you’re eligible for implant treatment today!

Follow Dr. Bradford on social media for a look into his implant placement process.