Did You Know There Are 2 Types of Dental Implants?

With over 500,000 dental implants placed every year, this advanced dental procedure is quickly becoming the most popular way to replace missing teeth! It’s the only option that restores teeth both above and below the gumline. This gives it unmatched longevity, comfort, and function while improving your health and appearance. To help as many people as possible rebuild their smile, there are two types of dental implants. Your Glendale implant dentist explains the differences between them and how to tell which is right for you.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are anchored into your smile below the gumline with a small titanium post. Titanium is biocompatible, so it won’t cause any irritation as the tissues heal around it. Attached to the topo of the post is a custom-made restoration made of dental porcelain. This material is well-known for how much it looks like healthy tooth enamel, allowing it to blend in seamlessly with the rest of your smile.

Endosteal Dental Implants

The most common type of dental implant is an endosteal implant. These are placed directly into your jawbone. Over the course of several months, the titanium post will fuse with the surrounding bone to form a rock-solid foundation. You’re most likely to be a good candidate for endosteal dental implants if you:

• Are missing one or more teeth: Endosteal dental implants are sturdy enough to retain crowns, dental bridges, or dentures depending on how many teeth you’re missing.
• Have adequate jawbone tissue and healthy gums: You’ll need to have enough jawbone tissue for your endosteal implant to fuse to, as well as healthy gum tissue for proper healing.
• Are in good overall health: Placing endosteal implants is a surgical procedure, so your implant dentist will review your medical history with you to ensure you’re healthy enough for the procedure.

Subperiosteal Dental Implants

The second type of dental implant is a subperiosteal implant. Instead of being surgically inserted into your jawbone, they rest just above it. The shorter titanium posts are held in place by a thin layer of tissue between the bone and gums, known as the periosteum. Subperiosteal dental implants may be a good choice for those who:

• Don’t have enough natural jawbone: If you don’t have enough bone tissue for an endosteal dental implant to fuse with, subperiosteal implants are a great alternative.
• Have healthy gum tissue: Healthy gum tissue is critical to ensuring your subperiosteal implant stays in place. Your implant dentist can help you overcome gingivitis to get you ready for your new tooth.
• Don’t want to or cannot undergo bone grafting: If you can’t or don’t want to undergo bone augmentation to support endosteal implants, you may benefit from subperiosteal implants.
  The best way to decide which dental implant option is right for you is to talk to your local Glendale implant dentist. After listening to your goals and concerns, they can help you choose the best method to rebuild your beautiful, confident smile!

About the Author

Dr. Robert Sue of Glendale Dental Wellness Center is a graduate of the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of the University of Southern California. He has completed countless hours of continuing education, which allows him to provide his patients with state-of-the-art care. For instance, he is trained to perform every step of the dental implant office and any accompanying procedures, so he can personally ensure your safety and comfort. To discover which dental implant is best for you, he can be reached via his website or at 818-243-3838.