What Are the Different Types of Dental Implants?

Losing a tooth does more than just take away your smile and confidence. It leads to poor eating habits since you lose your ability to chew food properly. That’s not all. Losing a tooth can cause a sagging face, loss of speech eloquence, and other dental problems such as bone deterioration.

If you have missing teeth, you don’t have to go through all these troubles. Dental implants offer an excellent solution for missing teeth. They offer you a complete tooth restoration that can last for a lifetime.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are fake or artificial teeth that are used to replace a missing tooth or teeth. Unlike dental dentures and bridges, dental implants are surgically implanted into the jawbone, making them very stable.

In fact, implants assume the functions and performance of your lost tooth. They restore your bite function, speech eloquence, and facial appearance. They also prevent the surrounding teeth from moving out of position and restore stimulation in the jawbone, preventing bone loss.

Types of Dental Implants

If you’re considering dental implants, you have two main options to choose from:

1. Endosteal Dental Implants

These are the most popular type of tooth implants. Most endosteal implants are crafted from titanium and mimic small screws. Your dentist will use the shape that’s right for your dental condition. Generally, endosteal implants are safe, very effective, and successful. Here is what to expect during the implant surgery:

• The dentist will start by numbing the area with a local anesthetic to prevent pain.
• The dentist then cleans up the area and starts to drill into the jawbone (you must have enough jawbone mass for the implant to be effective).
• The dentist will then screw the implant into the jawbone.

Since the procedure involves implanting an artificial tooth into the jawbone, it may take time for the surrounding tissue and bone to heal. You may experience a little discomfort or pain around the surgical area for a few days.

Once the dental implant site has healed, it will feel like your natural teeth. Generally, endosteal implants are very stable and offer natural-feeling and looking results. They are also very long-lasting.

If you still want to undergo this procedure but don’t have enough jawbone, your dentist may recommend undergoing a bone augmentation procedure to restore the lost bone mass.

2. Subperiosteal Dental implants

These implant types are ideal if you don’t have enough jawbone or have a narrow jawbone ridge but don’t want to go through bone grafting or augmentation. Subperiosteal implants are implanted under the gum tissue, either on or above the jawbone.

These procedures are rare, and they don’t offer as much stability and strength as endosteal implants. Receiving subperiosteal implants typically involves two surgical procedures:

• During the first appointment, the dentist numbs the area and cleans it up for the surgery.
• The dentist then cuts through the gum tissue using a scalpel to expose the underlying bone. The dentist makes an impression of the bone and then closes up the gums with sutures.
• You’ll be sent home as you wait for the artificial implant to be prepared. You should avoid eating with that side as it can cause certain complications such as bleeding. Also, maintain good oral hygiene to prevent infections.
• Once the implant is ready, you’ll go in for the second appointment. The dentist will re-open the gum tissue and implant the artificial tooth onto the bone.
• The dentist then sutures back the tissues over the implant frame. This leaves some permucosal extensions protruding from the gum.
• The dentist finally places a temporary bridge over the extensions. Once the gums have healed, the dentist can cement a protective bridge onto the extensions.

Both endosteal implants and subperiosteal implants are performed under local anesthetic. The success rate of these implants varies from one person to the other.

After either procedure, your dentist will prescribe some painkillers to manage any pain or discomfort you may experience. They may also prescribe some antibiotics to prevent infections.

Call or visit your dentist immediately if you experience any persistent complications such as severe pain, bleeding, and infection.

Schedule a Consultation

Randolph Dental Group offers high-quality dental implants in Randolph, MA. If you would like to schedule a dental consultation, give our office a call or fill out our online booking form.