Overview of Implant Dentistry - What You Should Know About Dental Implants

Often times as we age, we suffer some lose of teeth due to trauma, disease, and daily wear. Loss of teeth can bring about many problems with a person’s appearance and self-esteem. A person missing teeth no longer has to suffer through years of low self-esteem by considering a dental implant.

Types of Dental Implants

Implant dentistry enables people missing one or more teeth with the ability to have a permanent, natural-looking dental prosthetic. There are several types of dental implants. The most common type of dental implant is a root-form titanium implant. A root-form titanium dental implant is placed directly into the jaw bone.

There are also options available for people that cannot undergo the root-form titanium implant. Individuals that do not have enough jaw bone can undergo a sub-periosteal implant. A sub-periosteal implant is placed over the jaw since they do not have enough jaw bone to support a root-form titanium implant.

A plate-form implant is a piece of rectangle metal that has one or two prongs that stick up where the dental prosthetic is placed. The plate-form implant is place on the jaw vertically. Additionally, there is a ramus-frame tooth implant that is placed in the jaw and full or partial dentures are made to fit onto the metal bar and a transosseous implant that is used in the lower jaw. The transosseous implant is rarely used.

Risks and Benefits of Dental Implants

In years past the only option for people missing teeth were dentures. Implant dentistry has made tremendous improvements for people missing teeth. There are some benefits to having a dental implant and the main one is that is helps prevent bone loss and gum recession. However, as with any procedure there are some risks, which a potential should discuss with an oral surgeon or dentist skilled in implant dentistry. Certain medical conditions make dental implants more risky such as diabetes. Individuals that wish to have a dental implant undergo a very detailed medical history.