Dental implants are metallic posts that are inserted into the jawbone through dental surgery. After a while, they fuse with the bone, a process called osseointegration. Once this process is complete, the implant can be used as an extremely stable base for something else, usually a crown. In some cases, several dental implants can be used as a base for a bridge.
There are several types of dental implants. Your dentist can help you select the best one for your case, depending on your specific needs. The following are types of implants:
Endosteal Implants
Endosteal implants are the most common type of implant. They consist on a metal structure that resembles either a screw or a nail. They are typically made of titanium or ceramic. They are recommended in cases where the jawbone is healthy and strong.
Subperiosteal Implants
In some cases, the jawbone is not strong or thick enough to support an endosteal implant. In such cases, the dentist uses a subperiosteal implant instead.
A subperiosteal implant consists of a metal frame that’s inserted under the gum tissue and attached to the jawbone. It has one or more posts that serve as a base for crowns or other structures. The frame adds additional strength to the jawbone.
Ramus Frames
The ramus frame is another structure that it’s attached to the jawbone. However, unlike the subperiosteal implant, it has a rail instead of posts, which serves as a base for dentures. It is not a very common implant.
Transosteal Implants
A transosteal implant is similar to the endosteal implant, except it requires a plate under the lower jaw where the implant is screwed. Due to the advances in endosteal implants, this type of implant is becoming obsolete.
In practice, the endosteal implant is the most commonly used implant. However, endosteal implants themselves come in a great variety of materials and shapes.
In addition, implants come in different prices, depending on the material used for their manufacture. Thanks to the competitive prices in Costa Rica, most of our foreign patients are able to get the best implants there are. This ensures them that their implants will be more resistant and stronger, and that the risk of complications is lower.
Having a smile on your face is easy in Costa Rica. Contact one of the dentists listed in the Costa Rica Dental Guide now to discover how dental implants can help yours.
Monica Rix Paxson is an award-winning author writing on topics related to science and medicine including the book “The English Speaker’s Guide to Dental Care in Mexico”.She has appeared on CNN, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning and the BBC.