Foremost thing before opting for any implant we ought to see the basic design of the implant. The single piece implant and the abutment are fused because they are manufactured as one piece while two-three piece implants and the abutment are separate.
The abutment is either cemented or cold welded. But if the abutment is secured with a screw onto the implant, then it can be referred as three pieces.
A wide range of sizes and designs are available in single piece implants suiting various bone types which even help avoid bone augmentation and sinus lifts.
Two-three piece implants have limited sizes and designs available thereby limiting their application. Single piece implants as its name suggests are concluded as single sitting surgical procedure and very often flapless without any necessary invasive surgical procedures.
These Implant procedures consumes less time than bridgework. Two-three piece implants usually very often requires more complex surgical procedures, over 2 or 3 sittings for 3-6 months (Implant placement, Healing Screw & Abutment Placement).
single piece implants are a treat to the patients because of Immediate Loading – i.e. patient can be given the crown / bridge in the very next appointment. Two-three piece implants has to undergo delayed loading – approximately a waiting period of minimum of 3 months before loading the prosthesis onto the implants.
According to dentist point of view, for a single piece implant conventional impressions of the implants can be taken just as is the case with conventional bridgework. In case of two-three piece implants the prosthetic procedures requires more complex procedures and is time consuming. Single piece implants mostly work out a lot more cost effective in comparison with two/three piece implants which is expensive with respect to the costs of the implants.
For long term maintenance being a single piece, the strength provided by the implant is excellent and there is no separate root portion and abutment portion which makes it very simple.
Two piece implants being two piece implants, the relation between the root portion and the abutment portion can present problems due to higher mechanical stress under oblique loading.
Maintenance of these implants are more complex… very often screws (when used) are to be tightened at periodic intervals as there will be micro-movement between the implant and the abutment.
There are pros and cons of every dental treatment option available, single piece implants are not indicated in all the cases i.e. it’s indicated only in cases of good D1/D2 bone.