An alternative to endosteal implants are subperiosteal implants. Rather than being fixed into the jawbone of a patient these implants sit on top of the bone, but still below the gum. Rather than a firm post entering the bone, a metal frame is fitted under the gum with a post attached to it. As the gum heals around the fixture the frame is secured and able to have false teeth applied to the posts that protrude from the gum.
These implant procedures are usually suited to people whose jawbone is not sufficient to hold an endosteal implant. These patients may have little bone available for the implant to be placed in or they may be unwilling/unable to undergo oral surgery to add bone to the area.
