Factors To Consider When Deciding Between Endosteal And Subperiosteal Dental Implants

For people with missing teeth, there are various options they can use to restore their dental aesthetics and ability to chew. The options include:

  • Dental bridges
  • Dental implants
  • Dentures

Dental implants have become quite popular among patients because they provide a more permanent solution than dentures and dental bridges. You can choose between two types of dental implants; endosteal implants or subperiosteal implants.

Endosteal implants are dental implants installed inside the jawbone. On the other hand, subperiosteal implants get installed on the jawbone. However, endosteal implants have better support and stability than subperiosteal implants because the former are held in place by the jawbone.

Before deciding on which option to go with, consider two critical factors to make an informed decision. The two critical considerations are as follows.  

Jawbone Condition 

When you knock out or remove your teeth, it leaves a cavity on the jawbone where the tooth root was. Afterwards, the jawbone heals, and the cavity gets filled up as time passes. However, how well the jawbone heals significantly determines the type of dental implant you can get.

An endosteal dental implant is recommended if the jawbone has healed effectively and has enough bone to handle drilling and supporting an implant. But if the jawbone condition is not sufficient to drill or support a dental implant, you have two options. The first option involves settling for a subperiosteal implant. A subperiosteal implant doesn't need drilling the jawbone because your dentist will place the implant under the gums right on the jawbone.

The second option involves your dentist grafting your jaw bone to make it sturdy enough to support drilling and installing an endosteal implant. Note that the augmentation process takes a long time because, after the grafting procedure, you will need to heal for a few months before installing the dental implant.

Available Finances

Dental implants fall under cosmetic dentistry, and unfortunately, most cosmetic dentistry procedures are not usually covered by dental insurance. Thus you may have to cover the cost of the dental implant surgery out of pocket.  

Endosteal dental implants are more expensive to install than subperiosteal implants. The disparity in pricing is because an endosteal dental implant requires more surgical procedures than a subperiosteal implant.

Typically, when getting an endosteal implant, the dentist will first have to examine the nature of your jawbone using X-Rays and CT- Scans to establish whether it is ideal for an endosteal implant. If it is not ideal, the dentist may recommend a jawbone grafting procedure, which is an additional expense. Then after the jawbone has completely healed, the dentists can commence the installation of the endosteal dental implant.

On the other hand, subperiosteal doesn't require as many procedures. Your dentist only needs to surgically part open the gum and place the implant on top of the jaw bone, then suture the gum back to hold the implant. Therefore, the number of appointments required for a subperiosteal implant is significantly less.

If you are not in a position to cover the costs associated with an endosteal dental implant, opt for a subperiosteal implant instead.

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