Root Form Dental Implants
Root form dental implants are one of the oldest types of dental implant and perhaps the most popular today. Not surprisingly, these implants are much the same size and shape of a tooth root. One big advantage of this: the root form implant can often be placed at the same time as extraction of the tooth. The healing process begins immediately, minimizing waiting time. This also minimizes bone loss following an extraction, helping to preserve your natural facial contours.
These implants are titanium posts that are placed into the jawbone, which act as tooth root substitutes. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth.
When Are Root Form Dental Implants Used?
If a single tooth is missing, only one implant is used. If several teeth in a span are missing, you usually do not need an implant for each missing tooth.
Even if you’re missing all the teeth in an arch, as few as four implants can help restore the entire arch of teeth, a process called Bar Attachment Denture. This resembles a conventional denture, but actually rests on, and is firmly supported by, 4 implants underneath. It is removable for cleaning.
The strongest, most functional, and most undetectable complete arch restoration is a fixed/removable prosthesis. In your daily life, you use and clean these artificial teeth much like you would your natural teeth. These restorations are firmly fixed in place. In fact, you do not remove them at all. Dr. Funderburk can remove them for maintenance, if needed.
Implants can also be used to stabilize a conventional complete denture. Usually only two implants are needed. Although root form implants are ideal, the procedure requires enough bone. Many long time denture wearers have lost bone making it difficult to place a root form implant. In these cases, a newer, smaller implant, called the mini-implant is the better choice.