Implants rely on titanium fixtures inserted into the jawbone. Most implants
are made of titanium, which is very effective at fusing with living bone
(osseointegration). There are three types of dental implants which your cosmetic dentist
will discuss with you:
Root Form Implant
This screw type implant is shaped like the root of a
tooth. This is the most commonly used implant and is used where there is plenty of width
and depth to your jawbone. If your jawbone is too narrow or short for placement of the
Root Form implants, bone grafting may be needed to allow for their placement. After you've
received anesthesia, your cosmetic dentist will expose an area of your jawbone and prepare
the bone for the implant. The number of incisions and bone preparations depend on how many
implants you need. The implant will be set into place and your gums are closed with
stitches. It will take three to six months for healing. After you've fully healed, your
implant is uncovered and an abutment is attached.
Plate Form Implant
If your jawbone is too narrow for bone grafting, a
Plate Form implant is placed into your jawbone. The Plate Form implant is unique for this
purpose as it has a flat and long shape for a better fit into a narrow jawbone. After
you've received anesthesia, your cosmetic dentist will expose an area of your jawbone and
prepare the bone for the implant. The number of incisions and bone preparations depend on
how many implants you need. The implant will be set into place and your gums are closed
with stitches. It will take three to six months for healing (some Plate Form implants are
immediately ready for restoration without the long healing process).
Subperiosteal Implants
If there's not enough bone width or height for the Root
Form or Plate Form implants, the Subperiosteal implant is recommended. The Subperiosteal
implant is custom made to rest on top of your jawbone and under your gums like the Plate
Form implant, but the Subperiosteal implant is placed through one of two special methods.
The first method of placement involves your cosmetic
dentist making an impression of your jawbone. After you've received anesthesia, your
cosmetic dentist exposes your jawbone and takes an impression of it. The impression is
used by a dental laboratory to make a custom-fit implant for your jaw. The next procedure,
after your custom-fit implant is created, is to again expose your jawbone and place the
implant. Your gums are then closed with stitches and replacement teeth are installed.
The second method of placement requires a CAT scan of
your jawbone. Through computer modeling techniques, a model of your jawbone is made from
the CAT information. The next procedure, after your custom-fit Subperiosteal implant is
created by a dental laboratory, is to again expose your jawbone and place the implant.
Your gums are then closed with stitches and replacement teeth are installed.
Next: Price and costs for dental
implants
- Introduction to dental implants
section
- Dental implants - an overview
- Who is a candidate for dental implants?
- Dental implants - Procedure description
- Types of tooth implants
- How much do dental implants cost?
- Things to consider - Advantages and disadvantages of dental
implants
- Dental implants - Before and after photos
- Personal stories from people who have had dental
implants
- Choosing the color of the dental implant crown
- Discuss dental implants on our message board
  
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