Types of Teeth Implants
Teeth, or dental implants, are used to replace a missing tooth. These types of false teeth are preferred by many over dentures since they do not force the false teeth to rely on the natural teeth and do not need to be taken out at night. There are three major types of dental implants: subperiosteal, plate form and root form. Discuss your options with your dentist.
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Subperiosteal
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Patients who may lack bone height likely opt for this type of implant. This custom implant sits on your jaw bone but underneath your gums to establish permanency. Your dentist may do the surgery in two steps. The first is where he exposes your jaw and takes an impression to fit your new teeth. The second step is when your jaw bone is exposed and the new teeth are placed on top of it. Your gums then will be stitched up. Your dentist also can use a CAT scan to fit your implant instead of making a mold, making the process a little less invasive.
Plate Form Implants
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These implants are used if your jaw bone is especially narrow, since the plate forms are long and flat. Your dentist will expose your jaw bone and insert the plates immediately. After a healing period of a few weeks to several months, your new false tooth (or teeth) then will be placed over the plate, which will hold it in your mouth permanently. Your dentist will uncover your implant and attach the new tooth to the top.
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Root Form Implants
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Small root forms, resembling your actual tooth's root, are the most ideal implants, as they can end up being stronger than your original root. This type of implant is best used in a wide deep bone, such as in the back of the mouth. Your dentist will expose your jaw bone and insert the root forms. After a few months (depending on your healing process and amount of teeth to be fixed), your dentist will expose the implant and attach your new tooth. The few months in between visits are necessary so that your bone can grow around the root form and make a stronger base.
Who Should Get Implants?
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Implants are wonderful for those who want a permanent alternative to dentures. However, you must be in good oral health and free from gum disease in order to undergo these procedures. Although dentures may work for some, implants do not need to be removed at night and function exactly like natural teeth.
Why Are Dental Implants Preferable?
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Many dentists recommend dental implants because they do not affect the teeth next to your implant. In other forms of dental work, like bridges, the health of the neighboring teeth must be slightly sacrificed in order to produce permanent results. With an implant, this is not the case.
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