Dental implants are an alternative to bridges or dentures that can replace lost or damaged teeth. Unlike either of these solutions, dental implants are a permanent solution that typically do not require any replacements once placed. One major advantage of dental implants is that they are exceptionally similar to real teeth.
Dental implants look and feel virtually identical to natural teeth. Whether you get endosteal or subperiosteal dental implants, it is extremely difficult to tell the difference between organic teeth and dental implants.
The primary difference between endosteal and subperiosteal dental implants is how they are installed.
Endosteal implants are the more common type. They are made of titanium screws or blades. This type of dental implant first requires a surgical procedure that inserts a metal fixture into the jaw. Your dentist will then allow four to six weeks for osseointegration to happen. This is the process by which the fixture fuses with the jawbone. After completing osseointegration, your dentist will install abutments where your new teeth are to be set.
Subperiosteal implants work a bit differently. If you and your dentist decide subperiosteal implants are the better option for you, they will first cut open the gumline where your teeth are missing and create a model of your jawbone. Using this as a reference, your dentist will install an implant that rests on top of your jawbone and under your gum tissue before artificial teeth can be placed. Just like endosteal implants, this procedure relies on osseointegration to take place before new teeth can be set in place.
Subperiosteal implants have some advantages over endosteal implants. They take less time to heal than endosteal implants and do not require bone grafting. However, this type of implant is less common than endosteal implants and is generally used only if endosteal implants are not feasible. This might be the case if, for example, you have bone loss in your jaw, which would make the installation of an endosteal implant impossible.
Caring for dental implants is similar to caring for real teeth. In the case of endosteal implants, you should pay special attention to where the abutment sits. It can cause problems if bacteria build up, which could lead to inflammation or infection. Caring for subperiosteal implants is similar, and you should brush and floss your teeth regularly to avoid similar problems.
Dental implants can stain just like regular teeth, so you should avoid substances such as tea, coffee, and tobacco to avoid any unsightly discoloration.
With subperiosteal implants, while your mouth is healing, your dentist may advise you to stay away from hard foods.
Dental implants are a safe and effective procedure for replacing lost or damaged teeth. A big advantage of modern dental implants is that they are nearly indistinguishable from real teeth. If you are interested in getting dental implants, you may want to consider talking to your dentist about what options are available to you.
Request an appointment here: https://siegertdental.com or call Siegert Dental at (608) 394-3943 for an appointment in our Onalaska office.
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