What Are Dental Implants?
Jul
16
Written by:
7/16/2011 11:31 AM
What are dental implants ?! Or tooth implants ?! You've heard about them and maybe you're even considering them as a solution for your dental problems, but actually.....you're not really sure what they are! So here we go...
Definition - A dental implant is an artificial tooth root replacement made of titanium and shaped like a screw.
This titanium screw is not like any other screw you buy at the hardware store - Actually it is much more sophisticated. It is produced in a very slow and well monitored process and requires
state of the art technology, which results in a very expensive "high techie" looking screw.
Dental implants are made of titanium because (as discovered by Dr. Branemark in 1952) titanium Osseointegrates with the bone which means - it biologically bonds to the bone. In the image on the left you can see how bone grew around thedental implant and bonded to it!!!
The use of dental implants has become more common as procedures have gotten easier and success rates grown higher with the years. Here are some of the reasons people go for dental implants:
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Aesthetics – dental implants look and feel good and with modern technology, dentists can achieve results that look exactly like natural teeth.
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Comfort – a dental implant is such a good tooth replacement, that you don't even remember it's not real.
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Durability – dental implants offer a permanent solution to tooth loss. They bond to the jaw bone and become part of it, this connection is as strong as a natural tooth root. The completed dental implant is as strong and durable as a natural tooth.
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Improved oral health - since treatment with dental implants involves placing implants in areas where there are no teeth and does not affect your other healthy teeth, more of your own teeth are left intact, improving your long-term oral health. Additionally, by placing implants in areas with no teeth, you stimulate the bone area again and prevent long term bone loss in that area. (When a tooth is lost, the bone is not stimulated and begins to shrink away).
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Improved hygiene - Individual implants allow easier access between teeth, enabling everyday normal dental care, and in that way improve oral hygiene.
These are really good reasons why you should consider dental implantsand there are more of them. If you're trying to decide between tooth implants or building a bridge - click here to see the comparison between:
a bridge vs dental implants…