Dental implants are a great way for patients with missing teeth to restore their smiles. If you’re interested in undergoing a dental implant procedure, knowing more about the types of implants we offer can help you be better informed about what to expect during treatment. At Samuel F. Jirik, DDS, we offer our patients Endosteal and Subperiosteal dental implants in Cabot, AR.
Our practice is proud to promote both patient education and excellent dental health care.
What are endosseous implants?
Endosseous implants, also referred to as endosteal implants, are the most widely used implants available. These implants are surgically implanted directly into the jawbone in order to provide a substitute to the original root of the missing tooth or teeth. Once this artificial root has healed, a crown or dental bridge is attached to the dental implant.
What are subperiosteal implants?
These implants are used in cases where there is not enough jaw bone width or height to support a conventional dental implant. More often than not, patients receiving these type of implants choose to undergo surgery because they cannot comfortably wear dentures due to the structure of their jawbones.
During the insertion process, a metal frame is attached on top of the jawbone, just below the gum tissue. Once the gums have healed, and this frame is firmly in place, artificial teeth are mounted on it. Because these implants are placed on top of the jaw, impressions or CAT scans of the jaw must be taken before beginning treatment so that a custom-fitted implant can be created.
How do I know which is right for me?
If you’re still confused about which type of dental implant you should receive after reading these descriptions, don’t worry — you don’t have to make the decision alone. Before beginning any dental implant procedures, Dr. Jirik requires that each patient schedule an implant consultation at our Cabot, AR office. During this appointment, Dr. Jirik will review your medical records, ask you questions about your teeth, and examine your current state of dental health to help decide which dental implant is right for you.
How long do endosseous implants last?
Endosseous dental implants can last for the remainder of the patient’s life. The titanium implant is screwed down into the jawbone in the socket formerly occupied by the natural tooth root. Once the jawbone grows around the implant (a process clinically known as osseointegration), the implant becomes a part of the jaw. This is an enduring scenario and won’t change as long as the person doesn’t develop gum disease that begins leading to jawbone loss.
Titanium dental implants will typically last the remainder of the patient’s life. The crown (artificial tooth) attached to the implant can break or become otherwise damaged, and it may need to be replaced after a decade or more. But this in no way affects the endosseous implant beneath, which will remain firmly anchored in the jaw. If the crown needs replacing, a new crown is fabricated and it is simply attached to the implant, just as the original crown was.
Endosseous implants are the longest lasting, most successful dental restoration…by far.
Can endosseous implants be whitened?
Dental implants cannot be whitened. That’s one reason why Dr. Jirik prefers to use porcelain for fabrication of the crowns used with these implants. Dental porcelain closely resembles natural tooth enamel in the way it absorbs some light and reflects some light, the property known as translucence. Beyond the way it mimics natural tooth enamel, dental porcelain is also highly resistant to staining. It is far more resistant to staining than natural tooth enamel or composite resin. Generally, it’s not the implant that is the problem with staining, but the surrounding teeth. They can be whitened to return them back to the whiteness of the implant.
How long is the process for placing an endosseous dental implant?
Implant Placement:
After your mouth has been anesthetized, we make a tiny cut in the gums to expose the jawbone. If needed, Dr. Jirik drills a small hole into the socket that held the former tooth root. Now the titanium implant is screwed down into the socket.
Osseointegration:
The second step is what separates implants from other dental prostheses. Once the implant is placed, the jawbone is allowed to grow around the implant, making it part of the jaw. This process, called osseointegration, takes from three to six months.
Attaching the post:
Once your jawbone has adopted the implant, the next step is to attach a post, called an abutment, to the implant. Now it’s time for your gums to heal for approximately six more weeks.
Attaching the false tooth:
When your gums have healed, you’re ready to have the crown (false tooth) attached to the post. Dr. Jirik prefers porcelain for these crowns, so your new tooth will beautifully match your surrounding teeth and provide unparalleled strength and durability. Once he attaches the crown, you can go out and immediately enjoy your new tooth.
The length of time required for placement of your dental implant varies depending on the patient. Once Dr. Jirik places the titanium implant base by screwing it down into your jawbone, it takes time for your jawbone to grow around the implant and make it a part of your jaw.
The bone growth rate can span from 3 months up to 6 months, depending on the patient. Over the process, Dr. Jirik will monitor your bone growth to see when he can add the post to the implant base. After he does that, there is another 4-6 weeks to allow your gum tissue to heal and grow around the implant post.
How long do subperiosteal implants last?
Like endosseous implants, once placed, subperiosteal implants integrate fully with the jawbone as the jawbone grows around and over the implant framework. This means subperiosteal implants can last just as long as single endosseous implants.
The real question is one of initial success of the titanium framework. With inexperienced dentists, there can be a higher failure rate with subperiosteal implants both on the jawbone and with the gum tissue healing above. But thanks to Dr. Jirik’s training, expertise, and experience with all types of implant procedures, he has had good success with subperiosteal implants. Once they are successfully integrated onto the jawbone and the gum tissue has fully healed, these implants can last the remainder of the patient’s life. The prosthetic attached to the implant may need to be replaced, but not the implant itself.
If you're considering subperiosteal implants in Cabot, AR, click here to schedule a consult with Dr. Jirik.
Can subperiosteal implants be whitened?
As with endosseous implants, the crowns or other prostheses attached to the subperiosteal implants cannot be whitened. However, if you opt to have porcelain as the material for the artificial teeth, it is highly resistant to staining.
How long does the process of getting a subperiosteal implant take?
These are two-step procedures. In the first stage, Dr. Jirik opens the gum tissue to expose the underlying jawbone. Impressions are then made of the jawbone, capturing the contours of where the titanium framework will sit and the position of the struts that will hold the crowns or partial dentures. He then closes the gum tissue with sutures to await fabrication of your subperiosteal implant.
Once we have the implant, the gums are reopened, and the implant is placed onto the bone. In many cases, the framework is attached onto the jawbone with titanium screws. The gum tissue is then sutured back over the implant frame, leaving the anchor pieces protruding through the gums. In some cases, the permanent artificial teeth can be attached at this point. Or it may take one additional appointment.
These procedures from start to finish will take anywhere from six months up to a year in some cases to allow the jawbone to grow around the implant and for the gums to heal multiple times.
Dr. Jirik will discuss your timeline with you during your consultation.
Patient Testimonials:
Schedule Your Consultation Today!
Dental implants are a fantastic way for patients to fill in missing or damaged teeth. If you have any questions about either Endosteal or Subperiosteal dental implants, or would like to set up a consultation appointment, contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you!
