Dental implants are quickly becoming one of the most popular ways to replace missing or damaged teeth. Most people find them a comfortable way to bite once again, chew, and speak clearly. But not all implant procedures are the same. There are several different ones. While your dentist will assess your situation and recommend the best method, it is good to know the various options and fully understand what an implant is.
What Exactly Is a Dental Implant?
The term dental implant is now sometimes used interchangeably with bridge or crown. While dental implants perform similar functions, they are not the same. A dental implant is a metal medical device your dentist surgically implants into your jaw bone, designed to hold an artificial tooth or teeth securely. Most implants have three distinct pieces. These pieces are the implant body, or implant screw, and the abutment that connects the implant body to the last component, the crown, or the visible tooth.
This artificial tooth or crown fills in gaps and replaces teeth you are missing. Dental implants are a considerable improvement over dentures or partials previously used for the same purpose. Dental implants offer many benefits, including the following:
With proper care, you do not need to replace dental implants.
What Are the Different Types of Implant Procedures?
There are three types of dental implant procedures. These are:
Endosteal is the safest and the most common. Most dentists use this procedure on patients with healthy jawbones for the implant body or screw to fuse to. This fusing process is called osseointegration, which creates the stability and security of your implants. Once you heal completely, your dentist will expose the tops of the posts or screws, attach your abutments, and then attach your crown.
A dentist may use a subperiosteal procedure for patients who do not have healthy jawbones or have concerns about implants in their jawbone. It calls for your dentist to insert a metal frame for the implant to attach to, under your gum but on top of the bone. Once your gum heals, your implant is attached to the screw built into the frame, just like during the endosteal procedure.
Dentists rarely use the zygomatic procedure but use it with patients who do not have enough jawbone for the other two techniques. Your dentist will let you know which procedure is right for you.
Reach out to your dentist for more information about dental implants.
Share19 January 2023
