The Different Kinds of Dental Implants

Dental implants in Houston, TX are a well-established, long-term dental solution for people who suffer from a range of dental problems, such as missing or failing teeth. Even though there is much information about dental implants online, few people realize just how many different kinds of dental implants there are.

Endosteal Implants

Endosteal implants are the most commonly used type. They’re placed directly into the jawbone and hold one or more artificial teeth using abutments. Each implant holds one or multiple prosthetic teeth. This type of implant is generally used as an alternative for patients with bridges or removable dentures.

Subperiosteal Implants

Subperiosteal implants differ from endosteal implants in that they rest on top of the jawbone but underneath the gum line. These are typically used for patients who no longer have sufficient jawbone and who, for one reason or another, are unable to have a bone augmentation procedure to rebuild it.

Zygomatic Implants

The least common type is the zygomatic implant. This is because it’s a more complex procedure and is only used if the patient doesn’t have enough jawbone for the other two types. In this case, the implant is placed in the cheekbone.

All-on-4 Implants

All-on-4 is a process that uses four implants to replace all teeth in an arch. The implants support a fixed denture, which is placed immediately after the implants are inserted.

Mini Dental Implants (MDIs)

MDIs, also known as narrow or small diameter implants, are toothpick-sized implants that are narrower than most commonly used types. They are often used to stabilize a lower denture.

Immediate Load Dental Implants

Also known as same-day implants or Teeth in a Day®, this method allows placement of a temporary tooth during the same appointment as your dental implant placement.

The type of dental implant that will work best for you typically depends on your specific situation, including the health of your jawbone and your specific dental needs. Consulting with a dental professional will help you understand which type of dental implant is the best solution for you. As you can see, there are different kinds of dental implants to suit many kinds of needs. Never assume that you aren’t a good candidate for dental implants before consulting with your dental professional. If you’d like to learn more about whether dental implants are for you, please contact your Houston, TX dentist today!