Children's Sports and Dental Injuries

Children's Sports and Dental Injuries

Dental Implants Explained: The Most Common Types of Dental Implant and Their Main Features

by Lillian Dixon

Dental implants are an effective method of treating edentulism (tooth loss), whether you have lost one or several teeth. In fact, research shows that 80% of dental implants remain intact and in good working condition after 10 years of use. And according to a review of the oral needs of Australians and Americans in 2009, the quality of your dental health has a significant impact on the quality of your life. Endentulism doesn't just make you feel uncomfortable about smiling, it can also mean you are forced to limit your diet to softer foods and eventually leads to bone loss in the areas of the jawbone that lack teeth.

With this in mind, and with the knowledge that dentures do not supply sufficient biting force to both enjoy harder foods and keep bone from deteriorating, it is important that you know the ins and outs of each type of dental implant and how they may benefit your oral health.

In dentistry today, three main types of dental implants are used most often. Each one will be explained below. 

Root-Form Implants

The root-form implant is the most common implant in use today. These implants get their name from the titanium peg which dentists insert into your jawbone to act as a root, while part of the peg protrudes to allow for the placement of a crown or denture once healing has taken place. 

Root-form implants are considered to be the most versatile type of implant, since they are especially effective for removable dentures or fixed bridges. This type of implant closely resembles the root of a tooth and is effective at holding either one or several teeth in place. 

Subperiosteal Implants

This is the option dentists may turn to when treating a lower jaw that has an inadequate amount of remaining bone. This implant is also best used on a lower jaw with severe endentulism, i.e. a jaw that lacks both teeth and adequate bone mass. This type of implant sits over the bone like a saddle, rather than in the bone. 

Mini-Implants

Mini-implants are a cheaper and less invasive form of dental implant, as well as being smaller and narrower than standard dental implants.

These implants can serve two functions. The first is to replace a single tooth, most commonly at the front of the mouth. The second is to serve as anchorage points to help stabilize lower dentures, allowing for more chewing force, which helps protect against bone loss and allows you to eat harder foods such as apples. 

If you suffer from endentulism, talk to your family dentist about replacing those lost teeth as soon as possible. The absence of teeth can lead to bone loss, which negatively impacts your appearance. You should also get in touch with your insurance provider to find out what their policy is regarding dental implants. Some insurance providers will cover at least some of the cost of dental implants. 


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About Me

Children's Sports and Dental Injuries

As a mum, I know how essential sport can be to children's development. Through team sports like soccer, kids learn persistence, sportsmanship and the value of supporting their team members. However, all that learning carries some risk as well, and a stray elbow or a ball to the face can result in oral injuries. I have been the mum rushing to the emergency room with a precious permanent tooth sitting in a cup of milk. Admittedly, at the time, I wasn't even sure if the cup of milk was the right solution. As a parent, you will face those situations, and I'm here to make sure you know what to do when they pop up. With this blog, let's explore children's dentistry and sports injuries together... I want you to have the info you need to stay cool, calm and collected, regardless of how many teeth are on the pitch.