HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

Which of the following correctly describes a characteristic of "subperiosteal" implants?

1. They are placed inside the tooth

2. They are situated beneath the gum tissue but above the bone

3. They require high bone density

4. They are removable appliances

The correct answer is: They are situated beneath the gum tissue but above the bone

Subperiosteal implants are characterized by their placement beneath the gum tissue but above the bone. This type of implant is designed to provide support for prosthetics in patients who may not have enough bone height for traditional endosteal implants. The subperiosteal implant rests on top of the jawbone but is covered by the gums, allowing the implant posts to emerge through the gum tissue to hold the prosthetic in place. The other options represent different characteristics of dental implants that do not apply to subperiosteal implants. Some implants may require high bone density for stability, which does not align with the purpose of subperiosteal implants, as they can be a solution for patients with insufficient bone. Furthermore, subperiosteal implants are fixed and not removable, which distinguishes them from removable appliances. Lastly, the option stating that they are placed inside the tooth is inaccurate, as all implants are designed to replace missing teeth by being anchored in either the bone or above the bone structure, but never inside an existing tooth.