Three Types of Dental Implants

Implants employ a hidden anchor or screw to strongly fasten an artificial, but natural looking, tooth to bone. Below are the three main kinds of dental implants:

Endosteal
This type is metal and is cylinder or screw shaped. It is secured directly into the bone and becomes fused (osseointegrated) as bone heals around it. The metal part securely holds the replacement tooth and allows it to function and have the appearance of a normal tooth. Implants can range from a single tooth with its own anchor, several teeth each with their own anchors, or one anchor that holds many teeth.

Subperiosteal
This type is rarely used and has a metal framework that lays over the bone to hold the replacement tooth or teeth.

Transmandibular
This type is also rarely used. It uses a narrow plate that is secured to the underside of the lower jawbone. The plate provides support to metal posts that advance through the jawbone and gums which then support the replacement teeth. This type of implant calls for an incision beneath the chin. This implant is often intended for people who have severe loss of the lower jawbone.