HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

What type of implant is placed over the bone and under the periosteum?

1. Endosteal implant

2. Subperiosteal implant

3. Transosteal implant

4. Cement-retained implant

The correct answer is: Subperiosteal implant

The subperiosteal implant is specifically designed to be placed over the bone and beneath the periosteum, which is the connective tissue that surrounds the bone. This type of implant is typically utilized in cases where patients may not have sufficient bone density to support an endosteal implant, which is inserted directly into the jawbone. The subperiosteal implant consists of a metal framework that is placed on the bone's surface, and then the periosteum is sutured over it. This allows for the implant to be anchored securely while still being accessible for attaching dental prosthetics. The implementation of this type of implant can provide a stable foundation for dentures or crowns, especially in patients with significant bone resorption. In contrast, endosteal implants are implanted directly into the bone itself, making them unsuitable for scenarios requiring placement just beneath the periosteum. Transosteal implants penetrate through the bone, providing a different method of anchoring dental prosthetics, and cement-retained implants refer to a type of attachment of prosthetics to implants rather than a classification of the implant’s placement in relation to bone and periosteum.