Statistics are clear that as you get older, you’ll inevitably start looking into the different types of dental implants available to you. In fact, 20 percent of adults over the age of 65 have lost all of their teeth, and more than 68 percent suffer from gum disease, which can greatly contribute to tooth decay, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the following article, we’ll be discussing the four basic types of dental implants that you can expect to encounter as you get older. We’ll also be discussing the two primary ways that these implants are administered.
Subperiosteal
The first dental technique for applying implants is subperiosteal (“on the bone”). This is when the prosthetic (either titanium or ceramic) is anchored underneath the gum but remains above the mandible (lower jaw) or maxilla (upper jaw).
Endosteal
The endosteal implant technique, on the other hand, uses titanium and is when the implant is tailored to the jaw itself. This results in a more stable fit and is the preferred method for most patients in need of an implant.
Single Tooth Implants
The first topic to discuss when covering the kinds of dental implants is the single-tooth implant. There are a number of ways that your orthodontist can handle this, largely depending on the implant placement, health of the root, how many are infected (molars often have two roots), and any bone grafting that might need to be performed.
Dental Bridge Implants
Also among the options for the best dental implants is the dental bridge implant. This is ideal for patients who have more than one tooth in need of replacement.
These can be composed of two or more crowns. They’re designed to overlay and protect gaps in the teeth. The two techniques (subperiosteal and endosteal) apply here.
The good thing about dental bridge implants is that they can take care of multiple issues with dental health at once. This acts as a reset for your dental hygiene routines, hopefully preventing future tooth loss and decay.
Implant Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures are also great options for getting dental implants, particularly in areas where you have already lost your natural teeth. These are dentures that are attached to the implants. You can remove them and clean on your own, but they remain stable enough to allow for daily use.
Implanted Overdentures
The last of the dental implant options are implanted overdentures. Irving-based Coolbreezedentistry.com notes that an overdenture is a prosthetic that can go over the remainder of a natural tooth, the roots of missing teeth, or existing dentures. They provide added stability and improved cosmetics to the wearer.
Learning the Types of Dental Implants
Proper dental hygiene and upkeep now can certainly save you from having to get dentures or implants later. But it helps to know about the types of dental implants out there if you’re already feeling the challenges of dental care.
The good news is that you have options. Those options can result in a confident smile, stability when chewing, and an overall better quality of life. For more health-related tips and information, check out some of our additional posts!
