Pros And Cons Of Transosseous Dental Implants

Dental implants have become one of the most popular dental replacement options, but did you know there are different types of implants? Transosseous dental implants were once one of the more popular types when a patient had weak or insufficient jawbone but have fallen by the wayside as dental treatments have advanced; but the implants are still used in some occasions.

What are the pros and cons of transosseous dental implants that you should discuss with your general or cosmetic dentistry specialist?

Pro: Suitable for Lower Jaws with Little Bone Density

Transosseous implant suitability for weak or minimal jawbone was the main selling point of this type of implant. The installation procedure involves the dentist inserting a pair of metal rods up through the bottom of the chin, through the jawbone, and up through the soft tissue. The chin bone provided stability for the rods or roots where the jawbone wasn't sufficient to hold the metal in place alone.

An artificial tooth sized and dyed to suit your mouth is then snapped onto the top of those metal rods. The end result mimics the natural look and feel of a traditional dental implant despite the weak jawbone

Con: Can't Be Used on Upper Jaws

Transosseous implants can only work on the lower jaw since the upper jawbone has the sinus cavity and other important biology in the way. You don't want your dentist trying to shove two metal rods through your upper jawbone via a route straight through the middle of your face. So the transosseous implant usage is limited even in the best circumstances.

The implant could still prove a valid choice if your missing tooth is on the lower jawbone and you don't have sufficient bone. But look elsewhere for dental replacemetns for an upper tooth.

Con: Not as Practical as a Bone Graft and Traditional Implant

Why did transosseous implants fall out of favor? Bone graft technologies improved over time.

Bone grafts use bone from elsewhere in your mouth or jaw, or an exterior donor source, to build up the weak jawbone in the area where you want the implant. The graft bone will require some healing time while the graft and original bones fuse together, but you could then become a candidate for a traditional dental implant that does involve drilling a metal root into place, but goes in through the top of your jawbone rather than the bottom of your chin.

For a cosmetic dentist, contact an office such as Martinsville Family Dentistry.