Kinds of Dental Implants
Dental implants are metal devices used to replace lost teeth instead of using dentures or bridges. Dental implants are just that, implants. They are made from titanium and are surgically implanted into the mouth. There are a few different types of dental implants and are successful replacements for lost natural teeth when you don't want to deal with dentures or bridges.
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Root Form Implants
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A root form dental implant is the closest you can get to the natural tooth you lost. They are shaped and sized to look just like a natural tooth. Each root form implant is placed into the bone through an incision in the gums. Over the next few months the bone will adhere to the implant, leaving you with a solid, natural-looking replacement tooth. This kind of dental implant is good for single tooth replacement, or several replacements as long as there is enough healthy, solid bone left to hold the implants.
Plate Form Implants
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The plate form dental implant is used when there isn't enough bone mass, or the jawbone is too narrow for a root implant. Bone grafting may be an option for increasing the bone area and using root form implants, but if that's not a choice the plate form implants are the next step. This type of dental implant is long and narrow to fit the smaller bone available. It is placed through an incision just like the root form, though a much larger one to accommodate its size. Just like the root form implant, it will take a few months for healing and bone growth over the implant.
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Subperiosteal Implants
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The subperiosteal dental implants are used when there is an extreme case of bone loss, leaving the other two types of implants unusable. This type of dental implant is designed to sit under the gums, yet on top of the jawbone. There are two ways to get the custom fit that a subperiosteal dental implant requires: jawbone impressions after your surgeon has exposed the bone through an incision or a CAT scan taken before the the surgery. Just like with the previous two implants, surgery is required to expose the jawbone and install the implant, and several months of recovery time is required.
Intramucosal Implants
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The intramucosal implant is used with removable dentures. Metal inserts are placed into the jawbone, with a small exposed post left above the gums. The underside of the dentures will then snap onto the exposed post, leaving the dentures solidly in place.
Are You a Candidate
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Your dentist, dental surgeon or periodontist is the best person to decide if you're a good candidate for dental implants. Patients in overall good health, good oral health, non-smokers and those with enough healthy bone left from the missing teeth for the implants to hold onto are the best candidates for dental implants.
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