Types of Implants
If you have problems with your teeth, you're probably not smiling as much as you used to, and you're definitely not smiling as much as you should. Most people have had problems with their teeth at one time or another, but if your dental problems are ongoing, they're likely interfering with your social life, and they may even be interfering with your professional life. So, isn't it about time to do something about it? If you've always wondered what dental implants are and if they can help you, the answer to the latter is... yes! Dental implants are an effective method of restoring beauty and even function to missing teeth, and they can even restore a beautiful smile. In fact, in the world of dentistry for seniors, dental implants are fast replacing even dentures as a more attractive and convenient means of getting back a healthy, vibrant, and attractive smile. So what exactly are dental implants, and what are the different types of implants?
Types of implants
The most common types of dental implants are endosteal, root form, plate form, subperiosteal, and intramucosal.
Endosteal
The word 'endosteal' literally means 'located within the bone.' Appropriate, since endosteal implants are implanted right into the jawbone. This happens because it enables them to be more stable within the mouth. Endosteal implants feel much like natural teeth, making them a very favorable choice for those who have missing teeth. Endosteal implants may have metal cylinders, titanium screws, or blades that are surgically placed into the jawbone, which is what makes them so secure, acting much like real teeth. Endosteal implants are considered more permanent. Two of the most common types of endosteal implants are root form and plate form.
Root form
As mentioned above, root form implants are a type of endosteal implant, meaning they're implanted into the bone. Root form implants are often called screw-type implants because screws are used to hold them in place in the mouth. Root form are used for patients whose jawbones are wide and deep enough to accept them, enabling cosmetic dentists to secure these implants in place with screws into the jawbone.
Plate form
Plate form implants and root form implants are similar. However, plate form implants typically are used for dental patients whose jawbones are not deep or wide enough to have root form dental implant procedures done. Plate form implants are longer and flatter than root form implants, which enables cosmetic dentists to implant them into narrow or smaller jawbones. In addition, plate form dental implants often are used because grafting required for root form implants can't be performed due to the smaller or narrower jawbone.
Subperiosteal
The word 'subperiosteal' literally means 'beneath the periosteum.' (The periosteum is the dense, fibrous connective tissue covering bone, except where ligaments attach, and on joint surfaces.) Therefore, subperiosteal implants are implanted atop the jawbone. The metal framework of the subperiosteal implant's posts extrude through gums in order to hold prosthetic teeth in place. Subperiosteal implants typically are used on patients who are unable to accept dentures for one reason or another. Ideal candidates for subperiosteal implants often have minimal bone height, often making them unable to accept endosteal implants.
Intramucosal
Though intramucosal implants are fairly popular in cosmetic dentistry today, these implants aren't quite as popular as are root form or plate form dental implants. Intramucosal implants actually are not considered to be the traditional dental implant, but they are still considered a type of dental implant. Intramucosal implants are actually more of an insert than they are an actual implant. These implants are used in combination with dentures as an attachment to the gums in order to help secure dentures in place. Intramucosal dental implants require a procedure that will make indentations in the roof of the mouth, which is performed in order to attach intramucosal inserts to the gum portion of the dentures, securing and stabilizing them in place.
Dental implants an important part of cosmetic dentistry. However, seniors aren't the only dental patients who can benefit from dental implants. Adults of all ages who have missing teeth, or whose teeth aren't what they used to be, are choosing dental implants to replace lost teeth and restore their beautiful smiles. If you're wondering if dental implants are right for you but you have more questions, schedule a consultation with a cosmetic dentist in your area for more information.
Types of implants
The most common types of dental implants are endosteal, root form, plate form, subperiosteal, and intramucosal.
Endosteal
The word 'endosteal' literally means 'located within the bone.' Appropriate, since endosteal implants are implanted right into the jawbone. This happens because it enables them to be more stable within the mouth. Endosteal implants feel much like natural teeth, making them a very favorable choice for those who have missing teeth. Endosteal implants may have metal cylinders, titanium screws, or blades that are surgically placed into the jawbone, which is what makes them so secure, acting much like real teeth. Endosteal implants are considered more permanent. Two of the most common types of endosteal implants are root form and plate form.
Root form
As mentioned above, root form implants are a type of endosteal implant, meaning they're implanted into the bone. Root form implants are often called screw-type implants because screws are used to hold them in place in the mouth. Root form are used for patients whose jawbones are wide and deep enough to accept them, enabling cosmetic dentists to secure these implants in place with screws into the jawbone.
Plate form
Plate form implants and root form implants are similar. However, plate form implants typically are used for dental patients whose jawbones are not deep or wide enough to have root form dental implant procedures done. Plate form implants are longer and flatter than root form implants, which enables cosmetic dentists to implant them into narrow or smaller jawbones. In addition, plate form dental implants often are used because grafting required for root form implants can't be performed due to the smaller or narrower jawbone.
Subperiosteal
The word 'subperiosteal' literally means 'beneath the periosteum.' (The periosteum is the dense, fibrous connective tissue covering bone, except where ligaments attach, and on joint surfaces.) Therefore, subperiosteal implants are implanted atop the jawbone. The metal framework of the subperiosteal implant's posts extrude through gums in order to hold prosthetic teeth in place. Subperiosteal implants typically are used on patients who are unable to accept dentures for one reason or another. Ideal candidates for subperiosteal implants often have minimal bone height, often making them unable to accept endosteal implants.
Intramucosal
Though intramucosal implants are fairly popular in cosmetic dentistry today, these implants aren't quite as popular as are root form or plate form dental implants. Intramucosal implants actually are not considered to be the traditional dental implant, but they are still considered a type of dental implant. Intramucosal implants are actually more of an insert than they are an actual implant. These implants are used in combination with dentures as an attachment to the gums in order to help secure dentures in place. Intramucosal dental implants require a procedure that will make indentations in the roof of the mouth, which is performed in order to attach intramucosal inserts to the gum portion of the dentures, securing and stabilizing them in place.
Dental implants an important part of cosmetic dentistry. However, seniors aren't the only dental patients who can benefit from dental implants. Adults of all ages who have missing teeth, or whose teeth aren't what they used to be, are choosing dental implants to replace lost teeth and restore their beautiful smiles. If you're wondering if dental implants are right for you but you have more questions, schedule a consultation with a cosmetic dentist in your area for more information.