Dental implants have risen in recent years to become one of the most common methods of replacing teeth, with their strength, durability, and realism earning them fans among dentists and patients alike. However, there’s still a lot of things that people don’t know about this incredible treatment.
Here are a few of the lesser-known facts regarding this treatment that may help you learn more about it.
Dental Implants Actually Fuse with the Jaw
Generally speaking, the metal parts of a dental implant are constructed from titanium. This material is chosen for several reasons: it’s durable and resistant to tarnishing, but the most important reason is the metal’s natural biocompatibility.
In fact, titanium has the relatively unique ability to actually entangle itself with bone tissue, a process known as osseointegration. This is the secret behind dental implant’s strength and power, and an underappreciated aspect of the dental implant process in general.
Dental Implants Have Been Around for a Very Long Time
The rise of dental implants in the 20th century was due to the discovery of titanium’s biocompatibility, which promised greater strength than was previously achievable in tooth replacement. However, this is far from their inception as a concept.
In fact, fossil records dating back to the ancient Maya include skulls with small pieces of shells and rocks implanted into the bone tissue. While this wasn’t nearly as effective as what we can accomplish today, it shows that this method of tooth replacement is almost as old as civilization itself!
Dental Implants Actually Protect the Jaw Tissue
One of the issues that people who are missing teeth often run into is the gradual reabsorption of bone tissue in the jaw. The body is excellent at allocating resources where they’re needed most, and when your jaw is no longer holding teeth in place, it’s not being used. This means that your body will naturally move nutrients away from it, causing it to shrink.
Dental bridges and dentures will do nothing to address this issue, but dental implants actually stimulate the jaw to prevent bone loss from happening. Yet another reason why dental implants are the superior method of filling the gaps in your smile!
About the Author
Dr. Ashley Civetti loves dentistry for the fact that it’s always changing, meaning that in learning more about the nature of her field she always has something to be captivated by. She also finds it enormously rewarding to be able to share the results of her stunning clinical knowledge with her patients, whether it’s through incredible dental implants or patient education.
Dr. Civetti received her dental degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Dentistry at Houston, and receives continuing education from the Kois Center.
If you have any questions about dental implants she can be reached at her website or by phone at (561) 798-4200.