Types of Dental Implants

There are three types of dental implants that your Rockefeller Dental cosmetic dentist will discuss with you:

Root Form Implant

The root form implant is the most commonly used implant. It is a screw type implant shaped like the root of a tooth. This type of implant is used when there is ample width and depth to your jawbone. If your jawbone is too narrow or short for placement of a root form implant, then bone grafting may be needed to allow for placement. After you have received anesthesia, your cosmetic dentist will expose an area of your jawbone and prepare the bone for the implant. The number of incisions and bone preparations depend on how many implants you need. The implant will be set into place and then your gums are closed with stitches. It takes three to six months to heal. After you've fully healed, your implant is uncovered and an abutment is attached.

Plate Form Implant

A plate form implant is used when a patient's jawbone is too narrow for bone grafting. This type of dental implant can be placed directly into the jawbone. The plate form implant has a flat, long shape that makes it unique and allows it to fit better into a narrow jawbone.

After you've received anesthesia, your cosmetic dentist will expose an area of your jawbone and prepare the bone for the implant. The number of incisions and bone preparations depend on how many implants you need. The implant will be set into place and your gums are closed with stitches. Generally, it takes three to six months to heal, but some plate form implants are immediately ready for restoration without the long healing process.

Subperiosteal Implants

The superiosteal implant is a custom-made implant that rests on the top of a patient's jawbone and under the gums. This type of implant is recommended when there is not enough bone width or height for the root form, plate form implants. The subperiosteal implant is placed through one of two special methods.

The first method of placement involves your cosmetic dentist making an impression of your jawbone. After you've received anesthesia, your cosmetic dentist exposes your jawbone and takes an impression of it. A dental lab then uses the impression to make a custom-fit implant for your jaw. After your custom-fit implant is created, your cosmetic dentist exposes your jawbone again to set the implant in place. Your gums are then closed with stitches and replacement teeth are installed.

The second method of placement requires a CAT (computerized axial tomography) scan of your jawbone. Through computer modeling techniques, a model of your jawbone is made from the CAT scan information. After a dental lab creates your custom-fit subperiosteal implant, your cosmetic dentist exposes your jawbone and places the implant. Your gums are then closed with stitches and replacement teeth are installed.