Dental implants have been around for a while. At the early stages of the procedure, dentists experimented with a variety of materials to see what works. The experimental materials included bone, a variety of metals among other things. Most of these things were not very successful as they would not fuse with the jaw bone and thus could not implant properly. This was until dentists discovered titanium. To understand why titanium works so well, it helps to know the process of placing dental implants.
How Dental Implants Work
Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth and are a more permanent alternative to dentures. Dental implants consist of a titanium base or anchor that is surgically implanted into the jaw bone with part of it sticking outside the gumline. While the treated area heals and the implant fuses to the bone, doctors place a temporary crown above the implant to help the patient be able to chew food and perform other functions. Once the implant is properly fused (a process whose timeline varies from patient to patient), doctors then remove the temporary crown and replace it with a more permanent one. This crown functions as the surface of the tooth. Dental implants can stay in place for many years and do not need any special care other than the required oral health care regime.
So why is titanium such a popular material for dental implants? Read more to find out.
Biocompatibility
Titanium is widely used because it is one of the few materials that bond strongly with bone. For this reason, not only is titanium used for dental implants but also for many other medical procedures that require fusion with the bone.
It is Strong
Apart from its biocompatibility, titanium is an extremely strong material that can withstand the pressure that comes with chewing. Titanium is also not affected by the temperature variations that would be experienced in the mouth environment. This includes chewing cold or hot food among others. Titanium also has substantial corrosion resistance.
Light Weight
This unique characteristic means that titanium implants are virtually unnoticeable once they have healed and are properly fused into the bone.
Aesthetics
Titanium implants are great for aesthetic value as they have a pleasing appearance. They also give the crowns they support a natural look which is also great for aesthetics. Modern implants and crowns can actually be color adjusted to ensure that you get implants and crowns that are as close to the color of your teeth as possible. Finally, titanium implants don’t affect the rest of the natural teeth and may, in fact, protect them from tooth-loss related damage. This is damage that is caused by the shifting of other teeth to compensate for a missing tooth.
Need an experienced dentist for dental implants? Dr. Alex Rubinov is a professional and licensed New York City dentist with years of experience. Contact his practice at (718) 253-0800 for an appointment.