Basal implants, also known as cortical implants, are the dental implants that engage the basal bone of the jaw. The basal bone or the cortical bone is the highly dense and stable bone found in the mandible and maxilla, under the alveolar bone. While the alveolar bone is spongy and less dense, the basal bone is hard and dense, providing better stability and support to the dental implants.
Many patients are ineligible for dental implants due to less alveolar bone available for anchoring the implants. These patients can benefit from basal implants, as the basal bone is dense and resistant to resorption.
How are basal implants different from conventional implants?
The basal implants are different from conventional implants in many ways:
Longer design- The basal implants are longer in length than the conventional implants to reach the basal bone.
Bi-cortical anchorage- The basal implants engage the two cortical layers of the basal bone, whereas the conventional implants engage only the uppermost cortical layer of the bone, promoting better stability.
Better force distribution– The basal implants provide an even and broader distribution of masticatory force, hence reduces implant failure.
Advantages of Basal Implants
Many patients who require implant dental restoration have alveolar bone resorption, due to loss of teeth, advanced age, gum diseases and failure implants. In these patients, conventional implants may not be a good option due to the need for adequate bone for implant anchorage. Some patients may need bone augmentation through grafting to provide good bone volume. This surgical procedure is time-consuming, expensive, carries risk, and the patients would take additional time for healing of the grafted bone. However, these cases, may benefit from the use of basal implants, as basal implants are anchored on the basal bone, which is resistant to resorption, hence provided a stable anchorage. have many advantages.
Conventional implants, after fixing into the bone, require a healing time of several months, only after which the prosthesis can be mounted over it. This is called loading of the implant. The conventional implants, hence, undergo delayed loading, owing to the healing time after implant fixation; during this time, the patients must remain without any teeth which can be embarrassing. On the other hand, basal implants can have immediate loading, which means the prosthesis, or the crown can be fixed with 72 hours, enhancing patient satisfaction.
Indications for Basal Bone implants
ALL PATIENTS needing implant restoration are eligible for basal implants. These implants are, however, beneficial for patients with severe periodontal disease, extensive bone resorption, or those who have previously undergone unsuccessful implant treatments. Basal implants are also good options for individuals with systemic conditions such as diabetes or osteoporosis, where bone healing is compromised, and conventional implant procedures might pose higher risks.
Expertise of Implant Surgeon
The basal implant procedure is highly technique-sensitive procedure and its success depend upon the proficiency of the surgeon. Fixing the implant on the bone is a flapless procedure and requires precise drilling into the bone. Therefore, careful consideration is required when choosing an implant surgeon for your implant restoration requirements.
