Different Types of Dental Implants
Dr. D.Sendhil Nathan MDS, DNB Prosthodontics And Implantology
Dental implants have come a long way since their introduction in 1952. They are a time-tested procedure with a very high rate of success. Dental implants are used to treat a wide range of oral health issues and in this article, let us look at some types of dental implants and help you decide what choice might work the best in your case.
What is a dental implant?
Dental implants are fixtures that are placed in the jawbone by the means of a surgery. Dental implants provide artificial support to the teeth and provide a number of benefits like improving your speech, appearance of teeth and prevent shifting of the teeth.
To receive a dental implant, you ought to have healthy gums and bones. Teeth implants are undertaken and preferred by the general public for a myriad of reasons. Some of them are:
- Dental implants are extremely durable and can last a very long time.
- Dental implants though a bit costlier than other tooth replacement procedures guarantees results.
- Dental implants do not stain or decay in most cases.
- They are apt for people with bite issues.
Having written about the reasons why people opt for dental implants, here are some common types of dental implant surgeries that people undertake:
1) Endosteal implants
This type of dental implants are inserted into your jawbone by the means of grafting. Endosteal implants is the most common type of dental implant used. For people who have lost their teeth, an artificial tooth is attached to the implant.
Endosteal implants usually consists of a screw, cylinder or a blade. They are made of materials such as titanium, ceramic or polymeric. In some cases, a bridge or a type of denture is added to an endosteal implant for aesthetic purposes. For the implants to be inserted, it require a couple of dental visits spaced over a couple of months.
If your gums are healthy, then your orthodontist would most likely go with this option.
2) Subperiosteal implants
This type of dental implants is used in cases where the health of the gums is not top-notch. It is also prescribed to patients who don’t fit the ideal criteria for traditional implants.
In this type of implant, titanium frames are inserted over the jawbone instead of into it. Due to the advancement in medical technologies, the time for this treatment has rapidly decreased over the years and in some clinics, it takes hardly one visit for a subperiosteal implant surgery.
After the procedure, the gums heal as they start getting attached to the jawbone.
Aftercare
Here are some tips after undertaking a dental implant surgery:
- Wash/rinse your mouth regularly with warm saltwater.
- Maintain good oral hygiene.
- Try to avoid excess consumption of sugar and beverages.
- Avoid smoking and drinking red wine.
- Take a painkiller if and when necessary after consultation with your dentist.
