With a large variety of designs and procedures available, a patient can be assisted by a doctor to receive the sort of implant that best suits his or her needs. While implants all typically share a common construction of titanium and are made to fuse with bone, the number of designs available and the surgical requirements are quite varied. The following is a list and description for the most common implants available and what they require on part of the user.
Root form (or endosteal) implants
Of the many types of dental implants, the root form implant is the most commonly type used for teeth replacement. Also known as an endosteal implant, the root form implant is surgically implanted directly into the jawbone. Most often used in wide, deep bone to provide a base for replacing one to several teeth, the root form implant most closely resembles the natural tooth root in shape and size. Very recommended by most dentists for practical replacement of small numbers of teeth, this type of implant can even form a bond with bone stronger than the original tooth.
Subperiosteal implants
Most often used for patients who do not possess enough bone to support the more common root form implant, a subperiosteal implant is a custom-made metal frame that is designed to sit on top of the bone rather than inside of it, right beneath the gums. After surgery, while the gums heal, the frame becomes fixed to the bone. Posts fixed to the frame protrude through the gums to allow the attachment of artificial teeth.
Plate form implants
More common than a subperiosteal implant, the plate form implant is used when a root implant is impractical due to narrow bone matter in a jaw that has been deemed unsuitable for a bone graft. The plate form implant is flat and long, making it ideal for thin jawbones, and is placed vertically into the jaw so that the posts stick up beyond the gum line and provide a place for the artificial tooth or teeth to be attached. Similar to root form implants, there is a healing period for the bone to attach to the metal, although some plate form implants are designed for immediate restoration and use.
Ramusframe implants
Ramusframe implants are designed for the lower jaw only and are typically used when the bone present is rather thin and a subperiosteal implant won’t suffice. These type of implants are placed into the jaw from one side to another and, after the healing process, are fitted with dentures custom made for the implant.
Transosseous implants
Very rarely used and outdated, transosseous implants are nonetheless worth mentioning here for the sake of completion. They’re surgically inserted into the lower jawbone by means of a surgical penetration through the bone from the bottom of the chin and upwards and are secured with a device comparable to the classic nut and bolt arrangement that most people recognize. Overall, this type of implant is a rare sight and rightfully so considering the advancements the field of oral surgery has had in the past several decades.
Intramucosal implants or inserts
Not really so much an implant as it is a fixture, the intramucosal implant is an option for those people who either possess fragile bone matter or are hesitant to commit themselves to a traditional dental implant. Used as a simple and effective means of securing traditional dentures, this type of implant employs several bulb-shaped protrusions that ‘snap’ into place when a denture is inserted into the mouth, greatly reinforcing the denture’s adhesiveness.
Finally, even with the simplest kind of implant, sometimes a bone graft will be necessary. These typically are reserved for those patients with bone loss or those with small bones to begin with and are meant to help reinforce a location that is going to receive an implant. Although there are several types of grafts available, the most common is an autograft, which is where bone is taken from a donor site on your body and is then grafted onto the location for surgery. As always, your dentist will discuss your needs with you when considering a denture implant.