Dental implants are effective oral solutions that support artificial teeth. They’re metal posts or frames that a dentist carefully inserts into the jawbone beneath the gums. These devices hold crowns, support bridges and dentures, and serve as orthodontic anchors. Dental implants are available in various options. If your oral care team suggested these effective solutions, but you’re unsure which one is right for you, below are a few options.

A Guide to Dental Implants

What Are the Main Types of Implants?

There are two main types of dental implants: endosteal and subperiosteal. The former is inserted into the jawbone, and once the gum tissue has healed, a post is added to the implant. The artificial tooth is then surgically attached to the post individually, or grouped on a bridge or denture.

Subperiosteal ones are inserted into the jawbone beneath the gum tissue. As it heals, the metal frame adheres to the jawbone. The posts are then attached to the frame and often protrude through the gums. The artificial tooth becomes mounted to the posts in the same way the endosteal ones are secured.

What If My Mouth Can’t Support Them?

Unfortunately, not everyone’s jawbone is strong enough to support dental implants; however, there are a variety of ways to rebuild bone structure, including bone augmentation, a sinus lift, or a ridge expansion.

During a bone augmentation, the dental surgeon will replace lost or injured tissue into the jawbone by using bone additives to strengthen the new bone. In a sinus lift procedure, the dentist will add bone below the sinus if the natural bone has become deteriorated. In a ridge expansion—which is performed on people whose mouths aren’t big enough to support implants—the dentist will add bone graft material to a small space created along the jaw. 

What Are Some Care Tips?

After you heal from receiving implants, it’s imperative to follow a dental routine, such as brushing twice a day and flossing after meals as normal. Schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure the implants are healing properly. To effectively care for them, don’t eat overly hard foods such as candy and ice to prevent them from cracking. Additionally, use mouthwash to maintain fresh breath and to clean between the teeth crevices. 

If you need dental implants, the team at Preventive Dental Services PC can provide the best solution that works for you to restore your oral health. With two locations in Homer and Barrow, AK, you’ll enter a stress-free environment that offers everything from crowns and bonding to teeth whitening and fillings. To learn more about their implant dentistry, visit them online. To schedule an appointment on Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., call (907) 235-1286.