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Types of Dental Implants

The human teeth are different from the other bones in the body in that they are constantly exposed. This leaves them vulnerable to damage and staining, which can be made worse if an individual does not get proper dental care. Sometimes the damage to teeth is so bad that the teeth actually need to be replaced. One method of tooth replacement is the use of dental implants.

  1. What Is a Dental Implant?

    • A dental implant is an implant that is used as a foundational base for the insertion of a replacement tooth or set of teeth. There are four main types of dental implants, including root, subperiosteal, plate and intramucosal.

    Root Form

    • Root form dental implants are used when there is enough width and depth on the jaw bone to secure the implant. These types of implants also are known as "screw type" because of how the replacement tooth or teeth are attached. To use this implant, the jawbone is exposed, the implant is set in place, and the incision is closed with stitches.

    Plate Form

    • Plate form implants are similar to root form dental implants, but they are used when the bone of the jaw is too narrow for a root form implant and grafting isn't suitable. This implant type is long and flat, which permits it to be placed into the narrow jaw bone. The method of insertion is similar to that of root form dental implants.

    Subperiosteal

    • Subperiosteal implants sit on top of the jaw bone underneath the gums. The best candidates for these implants are those who have advanced bone loss that doesn't allow for a root or plate form implant. Patients may have the implant inserted through dual surgery (one surgery is done for the mold and another is done for the actual implantation), or they can have the implant done through a single surgery (a CAT scan is used to make the mold and a single surgery is done for implantation).

    Intramucosal

    • Intramucosal inserts are not true dental implants --- rather, they are dental inserts. They are used in the same manner, however, in that they provide a securing mechanism for false teeth. They are used with dentures or other large sets of false teeth. The inserts, which are mushroom shaped, attach to the gum side of the denture to hold it in place. They fit into indentations that have been placed into the roof of the mouth.

    Material

    • Most dental implants, regardless of type, are made from titanium because of this metal's ability to fuse well with bone and because titanium is incredibly strong and durable. However, other metals are used, such as aluminum oxide and surgical stainless steel.

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