Want to know more about the different dental implants Melbourne that you can have fitted?
In this guide, you will be introduced to the different varieties of oral implants used in dental care and hopefully, any questions you have will be answered. Enjoy!
Endosteal implant
An endosteal implant is the most common type of oral implant that you will encounter in dental care. As oral implants go, it is relatively easy to fit, has a straightforward period of fusing and is sturdy enough to support any prosthetic attached to it. Physically, an endosteal implant is up to 3.mm long and is around 1 mm wide and is typically made from titanium. However, an endosteal implant does have a range of conditions that need to be met before it is fitted; you need to have a strong, healthy jawbone and there also needs to be enough jaw to support the implant. This can be tricky if you lost your tooth or teeth some time ago and the gumline and jaw have receded. Once fitted, you will need to wait for an average 3-6 months for the implant to fuse to your jaw.
Zygomatic implant
If you have been to medical school, or are a bit of an anatomy buff, you will recognise the word zygoma in this type of implant! And yes, a zygomatic implant is not one that merely attaches the jaw bone, rather it goes through it and is affixed to the zygoma or cheekbone. Zygomatic implants are around 3 times longer than endosteal implants and as such, they are much trickier to fit and can only be used to support prosthetics that need to be attached to the upper jaw.
They are made from titanium and are ideal for people who have issues with the density or condition of their jawbone. The fusing required for a zygomatic implant to be usable is between 6-9 months.
Subperiosteal implant
One of the more puzzling to explain in relation to oral implants are the subperiosteal variety.
This type is not only an implant but is rather a pair or set of implants that are attached to a metal frame. The metal frame is placed underneath the gum but on top of the jaw via surgery and no fusing is required for this device to be usable. Your dentist will be able to attach the prosthetic sooner than 3-6 months, as is the case for endosteal and zygomatic implants.
Micro or mini-implant
A bit on the nose with the naming perhaps, but a mini or micro implant is just a smaller, thinner version of the endosteal implant. It can be fitted with ease and, depending on the skill of the dental team who fit it, you may be able to have your false teeth attached to it on the same day that it is fitted. But, as you may have guessed, a smaller, thinner version of an endosteal implant cannot support the same range of prosthetics. In fact, it is only advised for most dental teams to attach a single crown or prosthetic tooth to this type of implant or a bridge if multiple mini-implants are fitted next to each other.
DISCLAIMER
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
