A dental implant is a permanent replacement for a missing tooth. It consists of a titanium screw or post that is implanted into the jawbone. The bone gradually grows around the screw holding it firmly in place just like a natural root. A member of our team attaches an artificial tooth to the top and you have a new tooth that will last for years. There are two main types of implants, including endosteal implants and subperiosteal implants. Endosteal implants are the most common, but there are advantages to subperiosteal implants.
Subperiosteal implants allow people who do not have enough bone for standard dental implants to have a support for dentures or artificial teeth. The artificial teeth do not fit directly to the jawbone, but to a metal plate or frame that the bone grows around and holds in place.
Subperiosteal implant is a framework designed in the shape of your mouth and sits over the jawbone underneath the gum tissue. They are advantageous for people who have damaged or narrow jawbones. The framework will act as a series of tooth roots and will function as an anchor for future restorations. The restorations are fixed to this implant with several posts that stick out through the gum tissue.
If you have missing teeth, it is important to have the gaps filled with a bridge or implant to prevent bone loss and shrinkage of the jawbone. The reason implants are considered the standard treatment is that they maintain the integrity of the jawbone and allow it to be strengthened through exercise during chewing. Other types of treatments such as bridges, only bridge the gap allowing the underlying bone to deteriorate gradually.
Implants will stand-alone without the support of other teeth. They do not require the teeth on either side of the gap to be damaged in order to fit the bridge. Subperiosteal implants may not be as strong as endosteal implants, but they are a better option than ordinary dentures, partial dentures, and bridges. Implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth, so you can smile, speak and eat confidently without worrying if your dentures will make a clicking sound or shift in your mouth.
To learn more about subperiosteal implants, contact us today at the office of Samuel F. Jirik, DDS. Our cosmetic dentist proudly serves you from Cabot, Arkansas.
