Dental implants are typically made of titanium and are a safe and effective replacement for a natural tooth root. It is surgically placed in the jawbone and, over time, fuses with the bone to become a sturdy and stable base for a reconstructed tooth.

There are two main types of dental implants available, endosteal and subperiosteal.

Endosteal root implants are placed directly into the jawbone where they fuse over time with the living bone (known as osseointegration). This is the most common type of dental implant. These dental implants come in many shapes and sizes, from small screws to cylinders. There are standard and narrow/mini implant sizes available. Dental implant specialists are trained to help patients choose the ideal option for specific dental concerns.

During this procedure, the implant is placed into the jawbone and the gum tissue is closed with stitches. It takes two to six months to fully heal. After healing, the implant is exposed during minor surgery so that an abutment may be attached for the replacement tooth.

Plate form dental implants are an endosteal option for a narrow jawbone. This type of implant has a long, flat shape best suited to fit into a smaller jawbone. It is set into the jawbone using a similar process to the endosteal root implants and fuses with the living bone. It takes the same amount of time to heal.

Subperiosteal implants are placed beneath the gum tissue, but rest above or on top of the jawbone. This type of dental implant is custom-made and may be best for a patient who has insufficient bone height that is unsuited to either endosteal or plate form dental implants. Upper teeth located next to the sinuses can be challenging to replace with dental implants because the bone is so thin. While rebuilding the jawbone can be done, subperiosteal implants provide an alternative solution to this problem, as some patients are unable or are unwilling to undergo the procedure to strengthen the jawbone.

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