Dental implants are certainly not a new method of replacing teeth. In fact, the technology has been developing for years, and for the first time in history we can provide tooth replacements that look, feel, and act like the natural tooth. It all starts with bio-integration. Bio-integration is the process by which the body, far from rejecting a foreign object, actually accepts the implant as a natural object and works together with it in symbiosis. We start with a titanium implant for a number of reasons. First, titanium is the only metal that we know of that is capable of osseointegration, which is essential for bio-integration. Additionally this is a metal that is incredibly strong, while also being incredibly light which is perfect for making an implant. Finally, titanium has the ability to create a thin film around itself, which prevents the metal from being influenced by corrosive elements.
Since dental implants are dependent on integration, we have developed a number of techniques that help with the process. For example, we now use a customized surface with most of our implants. Implant customizations can include implants that have been sprayed in plasma, have been blasted by grit, etched with acid, or coated with hydroxyapatite. All bones contain hydroxyapatite, which is a naturally occurring substance. When we insert your implant into the bone, having coated it with hydroxyapatite, the body is tricked into believing that the dental implant is actually part of the bone. This greatly speeds up the process of bio-integration, as well as healing. In addition to using innovative technological advancements, we also have to place the right kind of dental implant for the situation. We make these decisions based, typically, on the amount of bone density and the ability of the jawbone to support the implant.
The most commonly installed dental implants are called a gum form implant. These implants, which are also known as endosteal implants, are installed directly underneath the gum in the site where we plan on installing a crown or some other false tooth device. The false tooth is then hooked to the implant using a small post that is left exposed. In order for use to perform this kind of an implant, the bone has to be in pretty good shape since the security and stability of the implant depends directly on the bone itself. Gum form implants are traditionally cone-shaped, most commonly a small nail or screw is inserted into the bone.
If however, we find that the bone cannot withstand a traditional implant we will use a device known as a Ramus Frame implant. These implants are designed for people whose jaw does not have the required density or, worse, may fracture so they are designed for stability and to help strengthen the jaw itself. These installed are done a distance away from the site, usually in the back corners of the mouth by the wisdom teeth and in the center of the mouth near the chin. A thin metal strip is left exposed so that we can attach the bridge or denture to the dental implant. We will discuss all of the options with you during an exam.
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