Despite employing regular upkeep and proper maintenance techniques along with routine dental check-ups, tooth loss is still a genuine possibility. Many people suffer decay, injury, or periodontal disease resulting in losing teeth, which often need replacing with dentures or bridges. Now, dental implants offer another more permanent, natural-looking solution.
Types Of Dental Implants
A dental implant is a replacement ‘tooth root’ that offers a strong base for permanent replacement teeth made to resemble the natural teeth. Dentists in clinics like Yen Dentistry & Implantology offer these as an option for tooth loss. The implant acts almost like an anchor for the substitute tooth. The material is typically titanium that fuses well when inserted into the jawbone. There are three variations in the types available.
** The most common of the dental implant types is the root form.
The screw-type offers a shape resembling a tooth’s root. One of the pieces will get inserted into the patient’s jawbone underneath the gum. A process like this deems a surgical procedure requiring local anesthesia. The suggestion is that the gums will need up to six months maximum for healing. When the area is ready, exposure of the root form takes place so the dentist can attach the substitute tooth.
Also referred to as an ‘endosteal’ implant, this procedure is available when a patient has sufficient area within the jawbone as far as width and depth for placement. An implant of this sort won’t be sustainable when there is evident deterioration that makes the jawbone short or narrow.
** Deterioration of the jaw bone requires a plate form implant.
If the dentist finds the jawbone suffered any deterioration resulting in a short or narrow space or is naturally not sufficient, the plate form type will likely be the suggestion for the procedure. A plate form is a flat, long piece that sits directly on top of the bone but underneath the gum, eventually allowing tissue and bone to grow over it for security. Learn costs for implants at https://askthedentist.com/dental-implants-cost/.
Also known as ‘endosteal’ as is its counterpart, the root form. The surgical process for this implant is also similar to the root form using local anesthesia. In the procedure, the dentist makes an incision in the gum to place the plate form on the jawbone. Again, the maximum length of time for healing is up to six months, after which the dentist attaches replacement tooth on the piece.
In some instances, this type of implant requires very little healing time, with some patients ready for restoration immediately. Every person’s situation will be different. It depends on what the dentist finds on the examination; which type will be the best for your particular situation. Ultimately, you’ll need an implant that is sustainable for the size and health of the jawbone.
** If the jawbone has significant deterioration, the requirement will be a subperiosteal implant.
When the bone width and height is not sufficient to handle either the root or the plate form, a subperiosteal implant is necessary. Creating a custom implant is the requirement when there is not enough jawbone with which to work. The custom piece will essentially act as an ‘artificial’ jawbone by enhancing the natural surface once attached to the bone. As with the plate form, this type will sit on top of the bone but underneath the gum. But first, the dentist needs an impression of the area where it will sit.
Taking the impression can take place in one of two ways, with the first being surgical using anesthesia to form an incision in the gum that will allow for an impression of the exposed jawbone. The dentist sends this impression to a lab where the creation of the custom piece takes place. When it’s ready, the patient undergoes another surgical procedure for placement of the subperiosteal part. After the healing process, the dentist attaches the substitute teeth into the custom piece.
The next method for impression is not surgical but instead uses a CT scan and computer modeling to create a replica of the jawbone from which the dentist can make a custom implant. This read will give more interesting facts on the innovative tooth-loss solution.
Dental implants are an ideal solution for patients who lose teeth and hope for a permanent solution. A pretty, natural smile is possible even after battling with disease and decay.