For a variety of reasons, people lose teeth: accidents, gum disease, infection or injury are all causes of missing teeth. The unnatural space causes more than embarrassment as eating and speaking become more difficult, and the loss of the tooth contributes to loss of the underlying jawbone, degrading the strength of the bone and the appearance of the face. Luckily, your Bend implant dentist has a dental implant option for every patient.

Root Form Implants

The most common form of tooth implant, root implants most closely resemble the size and shape of the lost natural tooth. Typically, an initial surgery implants a dental device into the jawbone. A healing period of several months (3-9) is required so that the dental implant fuses with the bone. The patient then returns to his Bend implant dentist to have the remaining equipment installed, including the attachment of a custom fitted crown or bridge. This form of dental implant requires a healthy jaw that is naturally wide, or is widened with bone grafting.

Plate Form Implants

Either because of the location of the missing teeth, or the width of the jawbone, some restorations are not suitable for bone grafting or a root form dental implant. One option is the plate form implant offered by Bend implant dentistry. A long, flat plate is initially fitted into the narrow bone. Similar to the root form implant, a healing period is usually required so that the plate will fuse to the jawbone, prior to completion of installation. A crown or bridge is attached to the dental implant as the final step in the process.

Subperiosteal Implants

Some jawbones lack sufficient width or height to accommodate even the plate form implant. Your Bend implant dentist has a third option, involving a custom fitted device that will sit atop the jawbone. Requiring either a CAT scan or an initial surgery to take an impression of the underlying bone, the subperiosteal implant will mold perfectly with the existing bone. Since this implant does not need to fuse with the jawbone, all of the equipment is placed in one surgery. The end result of the subperiosteal implant is the same as the others - a firm, permanent replacement tooth.

Mini Implants

Mini dental implants are a wonderful, easier option to replace missing teeth, as well as to secure dentures. Unlike the other procedures, the surgery is less invasive and requires only a light anesthetic. Either the denture, or a custom-made crown or bridge, is secured to the mini dental implant during the single procedure. Most patients leave the office after only one visit with fully functioning replacement teeth. A less expensive and convenient option, mini dental implants have become one of the most popular restorations offered by your Bend implant dentist.

Whether it is one tooth or many, it is vital that missing teeth are replaced as soon as possible to avoid deleterious health effects. Bend implant dentistry offers a variety of methods, from traditional two-surgery methods, to custom-fitted subperiosteal devices to mini implants, to conveniently, comfortably and permanently replace lost teeth, and restore a beautiful smile.