What Is an Eposteal Implant?
By Dr. Eastwood – Summerbrook Dental & Implants, Fort Worth, TX
Patients sometimes ask me, “What is an eposteal implant?” An eposteal implant is a type of dental implant that rests on top of the jawbone, underneath the gums, instead of being placed directly into the bone like most modern implants. These implants are designed with a metal framework that sits over the jaw, and posts extend up through the gums to hold replacement teeth in place.
Eposteal implants were used more often in the past for patients who did not have enough healthy bone for traditional implants. They were an alternative when bone grafting techniques were not as advanced as they are today. However, because eposteal implants rest on the bone rather than fusing into it, they are not as stable or long-lasting as the implants we use now.
Today, the most common and predictable type of implant is the endosteal implant, which is placed directly into the jawbone. With modern techniques, even patients with bone loss can often receive endosteal implants. At Summerbrook Dental & Implants, I use advanced methods such as bone grafting, sinus lifts, and zero bone loss principles to rebuild bone and make traditional implants possible for more patients. These techniques give implants the strength and longevity that eposteal implants cannot provide.
While eposteal implants are rarely used today, understanding them helps show how far implant dentistry has advanced. Now, we can use highly polished zirconia, immediate implant placement, and custom healing abutments to create solutions that are more natural-looking, healthier for the gums, and designed to last for decades.
I also want you to know that my office is a no judgment zone. Many patients come to me after years of struggling with missing teeth or loose dentures. Whether you’ve delayed care or tried older treatments, my goal is not to lecture you—it’s to give you a clear path forward.
So, what is an eposteal implant? It is an older type of implant that rests on the bone rather than inside it. While it is not commonly used anymore, it helped pave the way for the advanced implant treatments we offer today. If you are considering dental implants, schedule a consultation at Summerbrook Dental & Implants in Fort Worth. Together, we’ll design a plan that restores your smile, comfort, and confidence using the most modern, reliable techniques.