Understanding Root Canal Procedures

Implants, Examined: What You Need To Know About The Different Types Of Dental Implants

24 May 2016

Diane Mason

The phrase "dental implant" usually brings up an image in your mind of a fake tooth molded to fit in a gap within someone's mouth. Though you may think of dental implants as all being the same, there are actually several different kinds of dental implants, each with their own specific form and function. If you're wondering about what exactly are the different types of dental implants and what they can do for your mouth, then here's what you need to know.  

Transosseous

No, that's not a new kind of dinosaur for the next Jurassic Park movie; it's actually one of the rare types of dental implants, due to the specificity of the client base it works for. Meant for those with limited jawbone structure, this implant is basically two small metal rods, which are poked up under the chin through the jawbone until they pop out of the gum, and the false tooth/teeth are then attached. These implants take so much work and surgery that unless your dentist specifically recommends them, it's doubtful that you would have one installed.

Ramus Frame

If you're somewhere in your golden years and you've ever been told that you have a weak or thin jawbone, then a ramus frame implant is probably the type your dentist will recommend. It's a bar of metal that goes from one end of your jaw to the other (fixed in the jaw in both the back corners and the very front), providing places for your dentist to affix your dentures to.

Root Form

This is the most common type of dental implant. With either a cone or screw on the bottom and a tooth on top, these implants are, with the help of surgery, placed inside the jaw so that only the tooth is visible above the gum. If your jawbone is of an average thickness and solidity, this is probably the type of implant your dentist will recommend for a run-of-the-mill missing tooth.

Blade Form

The shape of the blade form implant (also known as the plate form implant) should be pretty clear simply from the name itself. This implant, generally used for jaws that are too narrow for the root form-style implants and aren't a good candidate for grafts, is shaped like a flat, square blade with metal prongs jutting out on one side that your dentist will secure your false teeth onto.

Reminder

Your dentist (such as Tony Parsley, DMD) will give their professional opinion on which type of implant suits you best, so don't worry about choosing the wrong one. However, going into the dentist's office informed about the types of implants can lower your stress and give you information about exactly how your new implant will work.

Share

Search