A Closer Look at Dental Implants

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root replacement. It is used to support restorations that resemble a tooth, group of teeth or dentures. The implant is made of a titanium alloy that allows bone to fuse with it. It is immovable beneath the gums allowing a stable base to fabricate missing teeth without harming the adjacent teeth.

The Mayan civilization used implants over 1350 years ago. An X-ray of an ancient human jawbone showed bone growth to metal replacement teeth placed during life. In 1965, after 13 years of research, orthopedic surgeon Per-Ingvar Branemark placed the first dental implant in a human. Branemark used implants on those who could not wear traditional dentures due to excess bone loss. He revolutionized medicine and dentistry with his research in osseointegration (bone growth to titanium).

Dental implant placement requires careful planning. Medical and dental histories are a must as are specific X-rays and anatomical measurements. The width and length of remaining bone, proximity to the sinuses/nerves and the general health of the patient must be carefully assessed. Major risk factors to the success of an implant would be smoking, diabetes, periodontal disease, bite dysfunction and general poor health. All of this must be taken into consideration to ensure a successful, long-lasting result.

Dentists must receive special training to be able to surgically place and then restore implants. This education includes both classroom and clinical instruction.

Implants can be used to replace a single tooth. Several implants may be placed in order to support a cemented bridge. Implants provide not only a look and feel that is very close to natural, but they are also permanent, strong and stable. These implants work like natural teeth, helping people to chew better while giving them the security and confidence in their smiles with improved health and function.

Dental implants can be placed in one visit, have a relatively short healing time, and have little post operative discomfort. These benefits, as well as the conservation of tooth structure, make the dental implant highly desirable to my patients. This technology has truly changed the direction of dentistry forever, allowing dentist to achieve a higher health standard for their patients. I am confident that the work I do with implants benefits my patients.