Chiropractic Healing Works

The Effectiveness Of Endosteal Implants

22 December 2014 by Charlie Berry

Dental implant dentistry provides many methods of replacing lost or badly damaged teeth. Among these methods, the most commonly utilized version is the dental implant known as the endosteal implant. The endosteal implant is normally crafted as separate components that are designed to be installed at different times. However, there are some versions that are designed as a single unit, or as a double component implant. One commonly cited reason for the popularity of endosteal implants is longevity. A properly crafted and implanted endosteal implant can last for decades, even an entire lifetime.

What is an Endosteal Implant?

Dental implants are a type of prosthetic that is used to replace a lost or damaged tooth. The endosteal implant is a specific version that is designed to both replace a lost tooth and to function in a manner that is as close to a natural tooth as possible. The endosteal implant is a screw-shaped artificial tooth that is typically separated into three components. These components are the base, abutment, and crown. These components are normally installed separately and on different dental visits.

• The Base - This component is shaped like a screw, or cylinder. It is implanted directly into the jawbone during the first stage of the implant procedure. The base will fuse with the jawbone over the course of a few months and will act as an anchor for the tooth.
• The Abutment - This component is shaped like a rod or cone. It is designed as a connecting device that will connect the base to the crown and hold the crown in place. It is normally implanted during the second stage of the procedure. The second stage occurs after the base has fully fused with the jawbone and the implant location has healed completely. After installing the abutment another short healing period will take place before the third stage begins.
• The Crown - The visible component of the endosteal implant. The crown looks like a real tooth. High-grade materials such as porcelain and zirconium will have the most natural appearance. Lower grade materials such as dental acrylics can look real to a casual observer as well, but they will not be as durable and will crack and chip within a few years. During the third stage of the endosteal implant, the crown will be attached and set. Afterward the new tooth will function like a natural tooth.

What Makes an Endosteal Implant Effective?

There are many thoughts on why this type of implant is more effective than some other forms of dental reconstruction. One reason is that it is designed to be like a natural tooth, so the general types of pressure and motion are similar. The anchored form of the implant, combined with a high-grade crown material, provides a solidly anchored functionality that dentures and other implant types will lack. Dentures, for instance, can slip around in the mouth and have to be removed periodically. An endosteal implant is never removed unless it becomes damaged.

Endosteal implants have a survival rate of 95+% for the first five years and have been known to last for decades. The cost of the implant is a little higher than getting dentures. The average cost is $4250 per tooth. However, the implant will not need to be replaced as often as dentures, if at all. This difference in cost evens out over time and can be seen as paying a little more upfront in order to avoid hassles further down the road.

If you need to replace a lost or damaged tooth, there are many options that can be used to solve your dental issue. Endosteal implants are a permanent and hassle-free method that is highly successful. Consider contacting your dentist to see if dental implants are a good fix for your situation, or click here for info about one local office that can offer more information.

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