What are the Different Types of Dental Implants?

Dental implants are used in many situations as an effective solution to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth or a full set of teeth. All dental implants are comprised of titanium, a bio-compatible material that is safe for placement in one’s mouth and ideal for fusing with one’s gum and bone tissue. Once placed, dental implants fuse with your natural gum and bone tissue, forging a strong and stable foundation for your prosthetic teeth.

There are several different types of dental implants that are appropriate in different situations, including:

Endosteal implants

Endosteal dental implants are the most common type of dental implant, which is placed into one’s jawbone by way of the tooth root. These dental implants may be in the shape of screws, cylinders or plates.

Subperiosteal implants

A less common form of dental implants are subperiosteal implants, which are placed under the gumline but above the jawbone, instead of into the jawbone like endosteal implants. Subperiosteal implants are used in situations where a patient has insufficient jawbone density and placement of one’s dental implants directly into the jawbone is not recommended.

The size of dental implants also vary with mini, narrow or shorter dental implants available for those with insufficient gum and bone tissue who cannot withstand traditional dental implants. The number of dental implants used in a treatment also varies. Here are several different situations in which dental implants might be used:

To replace a single tooth

To replace a single tooth, one dental implant is surgically placed directly into the missing or extracted tooth’s root. A custom prosthetic tooth is designed to match the exact shading, shape and size of the natural surrounding teeth, so once the tooth is replaced, no one will know which teeth are natural and which are not.

To replace multiple teeth

In situations where multiple adjacent teeth are missing, a permanent implant-supported bridge may be used, which don’t rely on or damage natural adjacent teeth like other dental bridges do.

For full arch replacement

When all of a person’s teeth are missing, dental implants – either All-on-4 or traditional – can be used to replace a full set of teeth.

While the treatment methodology and procedures are similar, different types of dental implants are used to meet the needs of each patient and his or her distinct dental situation. If you have been told that you are not able to receive dental implants due to insufficient bone or gum tissue, one of our smaller or less invasive dental implant procedures might be the ideal solution for you. Contact our office to see what different types of dental implants are available for you.