Benefits of Subperiosteal Implants
Dental implants are providing enhanced quality of life for patients around the globe today. According to the American College of Prosthodontics, as many as 120 million people are missing at least one tooth and 36 million are missing all their teeth! While implant technology itself is nothing new, only in the last few years has the technology advanced to the point where dental Subperiosteal implants are now truly comfortable, natural-feeling additions to your mouth. And all these are made possible with the help of reputable and experienced dentists from clinics like Sharon Albright DDS.
As well, today, there are more options than ever before to find the right dental implant for your oral health and comfort needs. In this blog, learn when subperiosteal implants may be the right choice for you!
Subperiosteal VS. Endosteal Implants
The American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) explains that there are two main types of dental implants: endosteal and subperiosteal. As you might expect, each type of dental implant is typically recommended for use under certain sets of circumstances.
Endosteal dental implants
Endosteal implants are inserted directly into the jawbone itself. These implants are basically very strong small screws – typically made from titanium – and they screw right into the jawbone.
As the American Academy of Implant Dentistry explains, the titanium screw essentially serves as the “tooth root” for the implant tooth prosthesis.
Placing endosteal implants requires a two-part process – two separate procedures. First, the screw/root must be inserted, and then there is a waiting period of up to six months while the screw is integrated into the surrounding natural jawbone. Sometimes a bone graft must be done to support the existing jawbone.
Only after the titanium screw is fully integrated and the site has healed can the implant be placed. Endosteal implants are the most commonly used implant type today, but they will not work for every patient in every situation.
Subperiosteal dental implants
Subperiosteal implants sit just above the jawbone but under the gum tissue. The word “sub-periosteal” translates to mean “below the periosteum.” The periosteum is the layer of blood vessels, skin, and connective tissues that lie beneath the gem.
Because the structure onto which the implant prosthesis will be fixed is not implanted into the jawbone itself, the period for installing subperiosteal implants is shorter.
Here again, two procedures are required – the first one is to place the subperiosteal prosthesis above the jawbone and take an impression of the jawbone itself. While the site heals, a dental implant prosthesis that precisely matches the patient’s unique jawbone contour is made. Once the site heals, this prosthesis is placed.
Subperiosteal implants are not as commonly used today now that endosteal implants are available. However, they have benefits that endosteal implants cannot provide for certain patients.
3 Most Important Subperiosteal Dental Implant Benefits
Dr. Marc Lazare writes that subperiosteal implants offer the gift of implants to patients whose jaw bone is not sufficiently strong to support endosteal implants.
- 1. Subperiosteal implants do not require bone harvesting and bone grafting.
Some patients do not want to undergo the lengthy process of inserting endosteal titanium screws, especially because this process often requires bone grafting.
Here, the patient often has a choice of having their own bone harvested from elsewhere in their body, using cadaver bone or using artificial human-made bone material.
- 2. Subperiosteal implants do not require an extended waiting period.
Other patients simply don’t have the extended time in their schedule to wait for six months or longer until the implant site has healed.
Subperiosteal implants require much less time for the simple suture in the gum line to heal. As Science Direct reports, it only takes 10 to 12 weeks for healing to be sufficient to place the implant. This reduces the time by half of what endosteal implants require.
- 3. Subperiosteal implants do not require sufficient existing viable jawbone.
Bone loss becomes an issue of increasing concern for some dental implant candidates. This is especially the case for geriatric patients, patients with calcium deficiency, and patients with thyroid disorders.
As the American Academy of Periodontology highlights, subperiosteal implants can provide patients who are not a candidate for endosteal implants or traditional dentures the opportunity to have natural-looking and feeling permanent prosthetic teeth.
Choosing Your Dental Surgeon for Subperiosteal Implants
Your choice of dental surgeon is a vital component of a successful long-term outcome when you choose to have subperiosteal implants installed.
The Journal of Otolaryngology and Rhinology reports that the failure rate for subperiosteal implants can be high. Complications can also occur with the placing and healing of the initial subperiosteal bridge. Careful placement and monitoring, along with patient adherence to all post-operative instructions, is a vital part of success with this less invasive yet more difficult type of dental implant.
The dental surgeon you select should be educated, trained, and highly skilled in the placement of subperiosteal implants, and this should form a primary part of the dental practice. For the best assurance of success with this notoriously challenging procedure, there is no substitute for selecting an experienced, board-certified dental surgeon who performs dental implant procedures daily.
About Marc Lazare, D.D.S., M.A.G.D.
Dr. Marc Lazare is one of less than one percent of dentists nationwide who has earned the distinction of being named a Master of General Dentistry.
The personal investment Dr. Lazare makes in bringing the latest technology plus world-class customer service to every patient has earned him the title of “Dentist to the Stars.” His clientele includes notables such as Gina Lollobrigida, Neil Sedaka and several cast members from the hit television show Real Housewives of New York.
Dr. Lazare treats patients of all ages and is one of just a handful of dentists worldwide trained to provide Biomimetic Dentistry, a cutting-edge treatment that preserves even cracked, decaying or fragile natural teeth rather than using dental prosthetics.
