Endosteal vs. Subperiosteal Dental Implants: What’s the Best Choice for Me?

Tooth implants are a big decision in terms of cost, timing, and what type you need. Suffering from tooth loss can be painful and compromise the rest of your mouth as your mouth and remaining teeth attempt to compensate for the missing tooth. Eating, drinking, and smiling are not what they used to be when you’re dealing with significant tooth loss. The more you know about implants, the more informed a decision you can make when it comes to your appearance and oral health.

If you find yourself in one of the following circumstances, dental implants might be right for you.

Tooth Movement

If you’ve lost one of your teeth, the others will begin to shift to close the gap in your bite. This will result in uneven, crowded teeth, which are more difficult to keep clean and treat as the shifting progresses. An implant rectifies the situation by filling the space created by the lost tooth, preventing your other teeth from moving about in your mouth, and maintaining their evenness and cleanliness

You Need to Support Your Dentures

Implants can support your dentures, preventing the common issues of poor fit, sores, sunken lips, and food restriction. Implant-supported dentures alleviate these problems and will give you a permanent solution.

You Want to Preserve Your Appearance

Jaw deterioration adds years to your appearance. Implants help maintain the shape of your jaw, preventing your face from taking on a sunken-in look. They stimulate your jaw to maintain bone structure so your face keeps its youthful structure.

Replacing your missing tooth with a dental implant gives you back your natural-looking smile and prevents further dental issues from occurring.

If you think you may need dental implants, know that endosteal and subperiosteal are two of the most common implant options. Below is a brief description of each type, but you should consult your dentist before choosing which type is right for you.

Endosteal: In the Bone

Endosteal, also known as root implants, are the most common type of implant. These implants are fused directly to your jawbone, as indicated by its name. A drill is used to plant an artificial root directly into the jawbone, after which your gums will be allowed time to heal. On a subsequent visit, your dentist will attach a prosthetic tooth to the installed root, completing the procedure.

Endosteal implants require a dense jaw with sufficient measurements to support the prosthesis. Since the implant is placed directly into the jawbone, it must be able to support the installed structures while healing properly. For some patients, such as the elderly, there isn’t enough bone mass to facilitate this type of procedure.

Subperiosteal: On the Bone

Subperiosteal implants are slightly different. Rather than drilling directly into the jawbone, your dentist will drill below your gums and install a metal frame overtop of the bone. The gums are then allowed to heal over the frame, at which point an artificial tooth is installed.

For patients with eroded jaws, subperiosteal implants are likely what their dentists will recommend. These implants are lightweight and do not cause trauma to the jawbone itself. Patients who have lost most or all of their posterior teeth are best suited for this type of implant. Subperiosteal implants are usually composed of cobalt, chrome, and molybdenum or surgical vitallium, although custom options are available depending on the condition of the patient.

Both endosteal and subperiosteal implants are excellent options that will provide patients with long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing, functional teeth. While endosteal may be the more common of the two, subperiosteal implants are perfectly viable for patients who come in with damage or wear to their mouths. There is no reason to suffer from tooth loss and its repercussions. Newmarket dental implants are a convenient and cost-effective way to return to the life you had before your dental woes.

Find a dentist who will take the time to analyze your condition and go over all of your options with you. You should be made to feel comfortable and at ease when considering this procedure. Many people find the prospect of dental work to be stressful, but when given the right support, the process can be made easier and delivered compassionately.

For more information about dental implants call Dawson Dental at 1-855-406-2742 or contact us here.