Dental Implants
Hillsboro, OR

If You Are Considering Dental Restoration Work, Consider Whether Dental Implants May Be for You

If you have lost one or more of your teeth and are considering your options regarding replacement, it is recommended that you spend some time researching dental implants to see if they may be something that would be right for you. Dental implants are essentially steel rods that are fused into your jawbone and act just like the root of a natural tooth. After the implants have healed into your jaw, your dentist can attach artificial teeth to the steel rods. Like some other forms of restorative dental work, a properly installed dental implant is identical in appearance, function, and feel to your natural teeth.

There are a number of ways that a dental implant may be used. You may opt to replace each missing tooth with an individual implant for the most realistic look and feel available. Or, if you are interested in saving some time and keeping your costs down, you could have two implants installed as anchors on either end of a gap in your teeth and have a bridge installed to fill in the gap.

Types of Implants

There are three different types of dental implants available; the type that you use will be determined by the width of your jaw or your jaw’s ability to accept a traditional implant. Your dentist will help you to determine which style of implant is appropriate for your situation.

The first type of implant—and the one which is most commonly used when possible—is called a root implant. When installing a root implant, your dentist will first numb the area to deaden any pain, cut through your gum to your jawbone. He or she will then drill a hole in your jawbone and insert the dental implant itself. The dental implant is in the shape of a ridged metal rod with a socket in the top of it. This rod fulfills the same function as the root of a natural tooth.

After you have had time for the jawbone to fuse to the dental implant you will return to the dentist to complete the process. This second visit is typically from 3 to 8 months after your initial surgery. Your return visit, your dentist will screw an anchor into the socket on the top of the implant. Then he or she will attach an artificial tooth to the anchor. This tooth will be identical in appearance to your other natural teeth and nobody will be able to tell that it is artificial.

This second type of dental implant is called a plate implant. Plate implants are used when your dentist feels that your jaw is too narrow or otherwise unable to fuse to a traditional dental implant. The metal run used for a plate implant is narrower than the one used for a root implant. Although it is installed in the same manner as a root implant, a plate implant may be completely installed in a single visit.

The last type of implant is called a subperiosteal implant and it is used when your dentist determines that your jawbone will be unable to accept a metal implant of any type. This type of implant does not go into your bone and—as such—it is not as stable or durable as a traditional root implant is.

Things to Consider

Although a dental implants—especially root implants—are the most realistic of dental restorations, they may not be appropriate for every patient in every situation. They do tend to cost more than other options and they involve slightly more trauma to have them installed. If you are considering dental implants please talk to the experts at the Hillsboro Dental Center today and let us help you explore your options.