3 Types of Dental Implants to Consider

If you've had one or more teeth removed, then you understand the challenges that come with having gaps in your mouth. Gaps can affect what and how you eat and they can also compromise the health of the nearby teeth. It's also hard to ignore the fact that a visible gap can alter your appearance significantly.

This is why being able to get dental implants has been such a big deal for many people. What types of implants are out there and will they be right for you?

Endosteal Implants

If you know someone who's had a dental implant put in at some point, there is a good chance it was an endosteal implant. These types of implants are the most commonly put in since they're suitable for most patients.

A post that is shaped like a screw is inserted into the jawbone and this where the false tooth will later be attached. Before the false tooth can be attached, however, some time will be needed for the post to fuse together with the bone. This will ensure that the implant will be strong.

As ideal as endosteal implants sound, they require that the patient have a healthy jawbone. Without a healthy jawbone, other measures will have to be taken.

Subperiosteal Implants

If endosteal implants are not an option for you, a common alternative is a subperiosteal implant. This type of implant goes on top of the jawbone rather than being fixed into the actual jawbone. The implant consists of a metal frame with a post, and this is placed under the gum. Once the gum has healed, the frame will be secured. The actual tooth can then be attached to the post.

This type of implant is usually meant for patients who lack enough jawbone to get an endosteal implant.

Zygomatic Implants

If you haven't heard about this type of implant, it's probably because this procedure is rarely done. With this type of procedure, the implant is secured to the cheekbone and not the jawbone. This is a significantly more complicated procedure.

Bone Grafting

Even when patients lack enough jawbone in the area where the implant is to be placed, many will still end up getting endosteal implants. This is thanks to procedures such as bone grafting, which allow the dentist to add bone to the jaw. These procedures can increase the cost of the procedure and the healing time, but the results are worth it.

To find out if dental implants are right for you, contact a professional such as Dr. Jon Douglas Lesan, DDS, RpH, PA.


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