Dental implants are one of the most common dental treatments undergone by people in the recent times. No matter how much you care for your teeth, at some point or the other, you need dental implants for that perfect smile or the ease to chew your food. Moreover, with the various types of dental implants available, it is much easier to undergo the dental treatments easily, without much pain. Here is a complete details about dental implants and their types. Know about them, understand them and finally choose which dental implant is right for your tooth.

What is dental implant?

Dental implant is a procedure wherein, an artificial tooth root is inserted into your jaw for the purpose of holding your replaced tooth or the bridge firmly in its place. You may need a dental implant if you have lost a tooth due to injury, periodontal disease or other reasons.

Types of Dental implant

Based on the American Dental Association (ADA) there are two types of dental implants that are considered safe. These are:

• Endosteal implants (In the bone)

Artificial tooth root is surgically implanted into the jawbone using screws, blades or cylinders. Each implant holds one or sometime more than one prosthetic teeth. Once the gum around the area has healed, the second stage of the surgery is performed wherein the post is connected to the original implant. Thereby, an artificial tooth or group of teeth is attached on the bridge or denture.

This implant is performed more widely on patients with removable dentures or bridges.

• Subperiosteal implants (On the bone)

A metallic frame is fitted directly on the jawbone, right below the gum tissue. Once the gum heals, the metallic frame gets fixed with the jawbone. The posts, already attached to the frame protrude out of the gums. Artificial tooth is then mounted on these posts.

This implant is performed on people who cannot wear conventional dentures or have a minimal bone height.

How does a dental implant work?

Metal frames or posts that are surgically infused into your jawbone provide a strong support to your artificial teeth. The dentures or bridge that are mounted to the implants won’t shift or slip from its place in your mouth which thus allows the patient to easily speak and eat food without any inconvenience. Moreover, the individual crowns (artificial teeth) placed on these implants look natural than the conventional dentures or bridges.

Also, during these dental implants, no adjacent tooth needs to be prepared to hold the new replacement in its place. However, it is extremely important that you have healthy gums and adequate bone height to support the new implant. Once you have a dental implant, you also need to meticulously take good care of your teeth and gums. Make sure you visit your dentist regularly and maintain oral hygiene.