Sep 25, 2009

Types of Dental Implants Used by Dentists to Fix Smiles

Dentists use dental implants to replace missing teeth to give you a complete smile. Outwardly, the three types available look all the same and may even be made from different materials, including plate form, subperiosteal, and root form. Each one is designed differently to ensure you get a long lasting replacement that keeps you looking your best. In order to tell which one you will need, the dental professional will need to match your bone structure to the correct style.
Plate Form Dental Implants
When your jawbone is too narrow, a plate form is the most effective method to use. The metal portion that sits beneath the gum line is long and flat. This allows the new tooth to sit along beside the jaw line. To install this, dentists cut down and expose an area of the jawbone after administering anesthetic. The implant sits into place and the gums are carefully secured into place. Some are attached to restore your smile instantly while other requires some time to heal in order for the metal to fuse onto the bone. The amount of space opened up will depend on how extensive the work is.
Subperiosteal Methods
When there is very little bone to hold the material, a specially made subperiosteal style form is the best choice. In all, there are two different ways dentist can install this style. A single surgery method requires a CAT scan and a special computer program to process the corresponding data to create a 3D model of your jawbone. Then, dental surgery is performed to expose the jawbone and lay in the plates.
With a dual surgery procedure, the gums are opened up and a special impression is made of the remaining bone. The form is then sent to a lab to form the plate. In the second surgery, the bone is exposed and the plate is laid into place.
Root Form Styles
These are shaped similar to your original teeth with a tooth like shape on the top and a screw like form that attaches it to the bone. These are best for good bone structures that are wide and deep. Dentists will open the jawbone, set the rod into place, and close the gums. It will then require three to six months of healing for the bone to grow around the metal. Otherwise, the pressure placed on your tooth through normal activities will cause the post to dislodge. Once it is completely healed, the oral care professional then needs to attach the tooth portion to the metal rod-like structure. This is done by using an extension under the tooth portion to connect it to the post.
Sometimes, patients do not have quite enough bone to hold the implants. At the same time, it isn't narrow or worn enough to warrant plate or subperiosteal dental implants. In this case, the doctor can remove bone from one area of the body and graft it onto the jaw.
Whether you live in New York or Fullerton, dentists have several options to restore your smile to one you can be proud of. Dental implants do require healing time, but in exchange, you regain full use of your teeth. As an added benefit, they last for a significant amount of time.
Christine O'Kelly is an author for the talented Fullerton dentists at Vivid Dental Studio. For patients in and around Fullerton, dental implants, teeth whitening, and a variety of other procedures are expertly performed by Vivid Dental Studio's talented team.