What Are the Different Types of Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial roots that a dentist surgically places into the jawbone. The prosthetic tooth is then attached to the implant and acts like a real tooth, replacing missing teeth or repairing broken ones. This guide will review the three different types of dental implants available today.

3 types of dental implants

1. Endosteal dental implants

Endosteal implants contain titanium that dentists place into the jawbone. They anchor to the jawbone by using the jawbone itself rather than attaching to existing teeth or dental roots. Endosteal implants can replace a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth. The dentist will often use these implants for patients who have experienced jawbone loss due to cancer or other illnesses.

2. Subperiosteal dental implants

Subperiosteal dental implants replace missing teeth in either the upper or lower jaw. These types of implants are much easier to place than other types that do not require bone grafting. The dentist does not need to drill into the patient’s jawbone.

The dentist will surgically place the dental implant under the gum line so that only part of its structure protrudes above it, allowing for easier cleaning than endosteal implants. It also requires less bone growth before use because not as many cells are involved with healing after surgery (which could lead to problems later on).

3. Zygomatic dental implants

Zygomatic implants are similar in appearance but different from subperiosteal models because they sit higher on one’s face. Like subperiosteal dental implants, these implants typically do not require a bone graft. Zygomatic implants require more bone growth prior to placement but result in less discomfort once inserted into place because they do not rub against any soft tissues during daily activities like chewing, drinking, etc. These implants replace teeth lost due to trauma and periodontal disease.

Enhancements for success

In some cases, patients must undergo an enhancement to help place one of the above dental implants. The following enhancement options may improve the patient’s chances of dental implant candidacy:

• Bone graft: The dentist can perform a bone graft in two ways. They can either take healthy bone from another part of the body (donor site) and place it into another area where the bone is needed (recipient site) or use a synthetic material that simulates natural bone and place it where it is needed.
• Sinus augmentation: This procedure aims to increase the sinus volume, which is located under the gum tissue. The sinus is an area where bone buildup occurs as part of the natural healing process after tooth extraction. The dentist may also recommend this enhancement to improve the shape and size of the patient’s jawbone.
• Ridge augmentation: This procedure is similar to sinus augmentation but involves adding material to the roof of the mouth, not just around the socket. Ridge augmentations are mainly used when no natural ridge is available for placing an implant or if the patient has lost significant amounts of bone that would otherwise cause problems with their bite alignment.