Dental implants owe success to advances in technology, materials

Dental Implants

Thanks to advancements in technology, there are permanent solutions to tooth loss that cold make you forget somethings gone missing.

Materials

Made of biologically compatible titanium, dental implants are artificial roots that take the shape of a rounded or fluted screw.  They provide the foundation for crowns and affixed dental bridges, and can also be used a a base to attach a bar connected to a denture.

In most instances, implants feel more natural and stable than other forms of tooth replacement because the structure is embedded in the bone.  The affixed tooth can look and act just like the original tooth and can be cared for in the same way: regular brushing, flossing, dental exams and hygiene cleanings.

Technology

Due to the improvements in the technique, success rates of implants continue to climb.  Statistics show that in the past 10 years, 98 percent of lower jaw (mandibular) and 95 percent of upper jaw (maxillary) implants are successful.  Patients also report placement of a dental implant is much less painful than having a tooth removed.

In years past, alternative shapes were used for implants, such as blades, and they were fabricated from ceramic materials.  Contemporary implant dentistry utilizes the cylindrical shape to better mimic the original root and the titanium in manipulated in a  number of ways to increase surface ares to facilitate bone adherence and integration.

In addition to the advancement in the labs, we’ve developed techniques that create more suitable environments in preparing for the implant through bone and gum reconstruction.  Ultimately, the success will depend on the proper diagnosis of the dentist.  Be sure to discuss this option with us if you are in need of replacing a tooth.

Author: Jeffrey L. Angart, DDS