Dental Implants: What Are They And What Types Are There?
Dental implants replace tooth roots and are implanted surgically. Similar to dentures, dental implants are used to replace a single tooth to full sets of teeth. Dental implants create a permanent foundation to attach permanent or removable teeth. Dental implants are metal posts (usually made of titanium or titanium alloy) that are surgically implanted into the jaw bone and have a screw-like appearance protruding in the mouth. The connector, known as an abutment, connects the crown to the implant.
There are two main types of dental implants available today. We will talk a little about them and their benefits.
Endosteal Dental Implants
This type of dental implant is the more commonly used type of dental implant. Used by patients who have a strong jawbone, endosteal dental implants are beneficial to patients who are healthy. As previously mentioned, it is made from titanium or titanium alloy and is to be fused directly with the jawbone.
Subperiosteal Dental Implants
Unlike the endosteal dental implant, subperiosteal implants are implanted in the gums but above the jawbone. This type of implant is for patients who do not have a strong jawbone and cannot support an endosteal implant. In a subperiosteal dental implant procedure, surgeons drill into the gum tissue and insert a metal frame above the jawbone. Once completed, the metal frame can now be used to attach the posts to be connected to crowns.
Benefits
Whether you undergo an endosteal or subperiosteal dental implant procedure, both implants have beneficial advantages. One advantage of dental implants is that their appearance gives the patient a more natural smile. Because they are surgically implanted, they become permanent fusing with the natural bone and gums in the mouth. Another advantage with dental implants is the ability to eat easier. In contrast to dentures, dental implants will not slide off your mouth while eating. This will give a patient a more pleasant eating experience. Durability is another beneficial advantage of dental implants over dentures. Because they are made of titanium, dental implants will last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance.
Cost
Dental implants do cost more than dentures since surgery is involved. Closely monitoring a patient’s recovery, especially with those who have underlying conditions can also add to the cost associated with getting a dental implant. Depending on the dental implant and everything associated with it, a complete dental implant can start at $4,000.00 US Dollars and up. Depending on a patient’s health insurance, generally, it is not normally covered. Again, this is all dependent on the cause of the tooth loss in the first place. Despite the cost, many dentists will recommend a dental implant as opposed to dentures. Because dental implants are permanent and become part of the patient’s body, less maintenance is involved than that of those who wear dentures. More often than not, dentures tend to need replacing every so often due to various reasons from the material used to normal wear and tear.
As we discussed above, endosteal and subperiosteal dental implants are the two main types of dental implants that patients frequently undergo. When considering if dental implants are right for you, visit your health professional to be assessed if you are eligible to undergo the procedure.
