Dental implants are metal posts that are positioned into the jawbone surgically beneath the gums. These implants allow your dentist to put replacement teeth onto them. Let’s learn how they work and the two types of implants available.
How Do Dental Implants Work
Dental implants are surgically fused to your jawbone so they provide support for artificial teeth. Dentures and bridges that are mounted to implants do not shift or move around. This is important during eating and speaking. Dental implants tend to feel more natural than bridges or dentures.
Some people find that bridges and dentures are uncomfortable due to soreness and gagging, but also because a bridge must be attached to the two teeth on either side of the missing tooth. Dental implants have an advantage in that they rarely cause soreness or gagging and are not required to be attached to teeth on either side of them.
Dental implants have a few requirements before being implanted. You need to have healthy gums and enough jawbone to support the implant. You must also keep these implants healthy once they are implanted. Oral hygiene and regular dental visits are important for long-term dental implant support.
Implant Types
The American Dental Association has stated the following two types of implants to be safe:
- Subperiosteal Implants – These implants are a metal frame that is fitted into the jawbone. As the gums heal around the implant it is fixed to the jawbone. Posts are attached to the frame and stick out above the gums. Artificial teeth are mounted to the protruding posts.
- Endosteal Implants – These implants are surgically implanted into the jawbone as posts. Unlike the subperiosteal implants, endosteal implants are just posts that are implanted into the jawbone without a metal frame.
Conclusion
At Eagle Rock Dental Care we perform dental implants. If you would like to know more about the procedure, give us a call or make an appointment online.
