Getting to the Root of Dental Implants

When most people think about dental implants, they almost certainly think about advanced modern dentistry. As far as the dentistry that we are familiar with today, that’s a good way to imagine dental implants — a procedure that came about in the modern era after leaps and bounds in the clinical practice of dentistry.

While it is true to state that dental implants (as we know them) are a modern advancement of the dental field, most don’t know that there is evidence of cultures practicing implants to replace teeth dating as far back as 2000 BC!

In fact, there have been numerous archaeological findings from that time period onward which suggest that humans have been practicing dental implants for quite some time, now.

The very good news for the modern dentist visitor is that it’s now a safer procedure than it ever has been, and it is pretty much always successful. You may be surprised to learn that dental implants have the highest success rate of any surgically implanted device.

Okay, so Dental Implants are safe. What are they, exactly?

A dental implant is not actually the whole replacement tooth or bridge that you’ll find in the mouths of those who have undergone the procedure. The implant itself is actually the replacement piece which serves as the new root of one’s tooth.

Once the implant has been installed, dentists are then able to mount a replacement tooth or a bridge into the area it has been placed.

Dental implants are made out of titanium. This is because of a process called osseointegration — this is a natural property that titanium carries, which means that it actually fuses to bone. It is one of the foremost reasons that dental implants are so surgically successful.

When teeth fall out, the bone structure around them changes — the bone that supported them in the mouth is also lost, essentially. When titanium is added into the area, it fuses and becomes an integral part of the bone structure which offers stability and support to the replacement tooth which prevents its loss.

In less modern history, teeth were often replaced with other human teeth or with animal teeth — often referred to as homoplastic or heteroplastic implants. The problem with this was that using the tooth from another living being often gave way for infection.

Luckily, after attempting to use different types of metals for quite some time, the first successful titanium implant was completed in 1965. After this, the practice rapidly developed into what we know today — a confidence boosting and largely successful procedure that allows for people to continue smiling!

So, how will I know if dental implants are right for me?

If you have lost teeth, you’re probably a good candidate for receiving a dental implant. However, there are a few reasons you might be advised against it. For example, if you are a smoker, a heavy drinker or you have been diagnosed with diabetes or periodontal gum disease, you may face complications from dental implants since the capacity for your bones to fuse will be somewhat lower.

However, in most cases, if you are a healthy person with a fully developed mouth and jaw, you are likely to be an excellent candidate.

If you want to know more about dental implants procedure, give us a call and pay us a visit today! Make StateLine Dental your home for honest and personalized dental consultation. We look forward to seeing you!