Knowing the Different Types of Dental Implants

Profiling Dental Implant Types

The advances in dentistry today have made it possible for patients to replace chipped, diseased, or even missing teeth with a variety of dental implants. Did you know that the type of implant that will be used is determined by an in-depth examination of your mouth and overall general health? Learn about the different types of dental implants and how they may benefit you.

Single-stage dental implants are surgically inserted into the jaw and through the gum, exposing the top of the implant. An abutment can be applied here as a connecting point of the removable dentures and dental bridges to the implant after the recovery period. One-stage implant systems are generally used when the bone quality is good, guaranteeing stability. They are also used when cosmetics is not a concern, such as the back areas of the mouth.

Two-stage dental implants use a similar procedure, however requires two surgeries. The first procedure does not cut into the gums but rather an implant will be surgically inserted into the jawbone. After approximately three months, the first recovery period, a second surgical operation applies and attaches the abutment to the implant. A crown will be temporarily placed over the tooth with the implant for protection, followed by a three to six months second recovery period. This implant typically used for replacing teeth where there is no immediate need for a cosmetic solution and when more of a margin of safety is required.

Endosseous (“within the bone”) dental implants (also called Endosteal) uses also the same procedure as the two-stage dental implants. Patients get this implant as a placeholder for dentures or bridges. It is made of a titanium alloy and is surgically placed within the upper or lower jaw bones to restore the chewing function. Hence the need for this operation is different than just getting regular implants.

Subperiosteal (“around the bone”)implants are not quite like the other types of implants. It is placed under the gum tissue, but it remains above the jaw bone. Made out of a metal framework, the dentist exposes it during surgery to hold the restoration. There are tiny metal posts on the framework acting as an anchor to the replacement tooth that the dentist will apply to the implant. These implants are used in cases where there is not enough jaw bone width or height to support a conventional dental implant.

Before undergoing any type dental restoration procedure with implants, have a comprehensive dental examination to determine the best type of dental implant. Weigh the pros and cons before deciding.

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Helping You Decide in Bellevue

Depending on your individual situation and medical status, our implant team at Bellevue Overlake Dental will determine which approach is best for you. When deciding on implants, come visit Dr. Young Lee in Bellevue.