Did you know that adults aged 20-64 have less than 25 remaining teeth on average? Thus, most individuals have at least three missing natural teeth, not including their wisdom teeth.
Missing teeth can pose many health hazards, including difficulty eating, jawbone loss, and damaged self-esteem. Thankfully, dentists can remedy missing teeth with different types of dental implants, restoring the patient’s smile and giving them back the full function of their mouth.
Would you like to learn more about dental implants? If so, keep reading as we talk about how they work and some of the different kinds your dentist may recommend!
What is a Dental Implant?
Implants are an alternative to dentures or bridges, which may not fit well or allow patients to eat their favorite foods. However, since they are permanent, implants require surgery to place them in the gum. So, you’ll need to find a qualified dentist who offers this surgery, such as Dr. Suzanne Caudry.
During surgery, a dentist places a metal post in the gum to act like the roots of a tooth. As a result, the implant is sturdy and feels like a natural tooth, allowing you to eat practically any food, no matter how crunchy or chewy.
Of course, the implant also consists of a dental crown, which dentists bond to the post. The crown matches the color of the patient’s teeth and blends in with them to create a beautiful smile!
Types of Dental Implants
Of course, the steps for performing your dental implant surgery will depend on the type of implant your doctor recommends. First, they’ll determine which is best by checking the condition of your jawbone. Then, they’ll pick one of the following dental implants.
Endosteal Implant
Endosteal implants are safe and effective, making them the most common implant in the industry.
The first step is inserting the titanium screw into the jawbone and waiting a couple of months for the tissue and bone to heal. After the patient recovers, the dentist can place a permanent crown on the post!
The only downside to endosteal implants is that patients need to have a healthy jawbone with enough density to support the implant. So, if you have health conditions that affect your bone density, you may not be a good candidate for this type of implant.
Subperiosteal Implant
Although subperiosteal implants aren’t common these days, dentists may recommend them when patients’ jaws cannot support an endosteal implant.
Dentists place subperiosteal implants within the gum tissue instead of in the jawbone. As a result, they don’t have the same level of stability as endosteal implants. However, they are still more stable than traditional dentures.
One benefit to subperiosteal implants is that the treatment is much quicker because dentists don’t need to wait as long for the area to heal before placing the crown.
Improve Your Oral Health and Appearance with Dental Implants!
After reading this brief post, you understand the difference between the two types of dental implants that dentists use today. Of course, it’s important to schedule a consultation with your dentist so you can decide which implant is best for your oral health! So, don’t delay and restore your smile and confidence with a dental implant!
Would you like to learn more helpful tips for taking better care of your dental health? If so, browse health and wellness articles on our website!
