Dental Implants Have Improved Thanks to High-Tech Materials

Dental implants have progressed by leaps and bounds over the last several years. While it is true that mankind has always wanted to maintain an image of health and vitality, which often involved keeping or saving all their teeth. It is also true that this has never been more possible than it is today. As dentists have gotten access to better tools and better materials, the art (and science) of dental implants has also improved. 

Today dentists and orthodontists use space-age materials to create and craft the perfect implants which not only look and feel like a real tooth, but also can stand the test of time. 

Nowadays dental implants are making use of one of the most versatile and powerful metals known to man, in order to create the perfect long-lasting implant. Also used in the manufacture of space crafts, tennis rackets, and cosmetic jewelry, titanium has truly found its niche in medical devices and replacements, with dental implants being no exception. Dentists have found that titanium has a number of different qualities that make it an exceptional option for dental implants, and so today, titanium makes up the number one metal used in all implants. 

Titanium has a unique ability, which other implant materials can have, but to a lesser degree. This ability is known as osseointegration and is the process by which the metal implant fuses with the surrounding bone without the need for connective soft tissue. In other words, the titanium becomes a part of the bone, giving strength and bearing all of the load while gaining stability and longevity from the bone itself. This creates an implant that is more natural feeling and also lasts longer. In the case of dental implants, in specific, osseointegration occurs between the titanium screw and the jaw bone. 

The dental implant, consisting of a titanium screw is placed surgically into the root canal, and into the jaw bone. To do this, the root has to be removed. Once the titanium screw is in place, and it has healed, osseointegration tends to take place over several months. In effect the jawbone heals around the implant and accepts it as a replacement for the root. The implant then acts as the root, not only in stabilizing and providing a base for the tooth (crown) but also giving support to the jawbone itself. As a result, the jawbone will grow and develop in much the same was as it would with the naturally occurring root. This process prevents bone loss and encourages the jawbone to develop along a natural trajectory. 

Besides the ability to seamlessly integrate in with the bone, titanium has three additional qualities that make it such a good choice for implants. 

1. Titanium is an inert metal, which means that it cannot interact with and have a reaction to any other chemicals. As a dormant metal, it will not release any toxic substances into the blood stream. 
2. Titanium is non-toxic; hence it cannot cause any adverse reactions in the body once the dental implant has been put in place. 
3. Titanium is non-corrosive, so oxygen found in highly moist areas, like a root cavity, do not have the effect of causing the metal to rust. 

Dental implants have progressed by leaps and bounds over the last several years. While it is true that mankind has always wanted to maintain an image of health and vitality, which often involved keeping or saving all their teeth. It is also true that this has never been more possible than it is today. As dentists have gotten access to better tools and better materials, the art (and science) of dental implants has also improved. Today dentists and orthodontists use space-age materials to create and craft the perfect implants which not only look and feel like a real tooth, but also can stand the test of time. 

Nowadays dental implants are making use of one of the most versatile and powerful metals known to man, in order to create the perfect long-lasting implant. Also used in the manufacture of space crafts, tennis rackets, and cosmetic jewelry, titanium has truly found its niche in medical devices and replacements, with dental implants being no exception. Dentists have found that titanium has a number of different qualities that make it an exceptional option for dental implants, and so today, titanium makes up the number one metal used in all implants. 

Titanium has a unique ability, which other implant materials can have, but to a lesser degree. This ability is known as osseointegration and is the process by which the metal implant fuses with the surrounding bone without the need for connective soft tissue. In other words, the titanium becomes a part of the bone, giving strength and bearing all the load while gaining stability and longevity from the bone itself. This creates an implant that is more natural feeling and also lasts longer. In the case of dental implants, in specific, osseointegration occurs between the titanium screw and the jaw bone. 

The dental implant, consisting of a titanium screw is placed surgically into the root canal, and into the jaw bone. To do this, the root has to be removed. Once the titanium screw is in place, and it has healed, osseointegration tends to take place over several months. In effect the jawbone heals around the implant and accepts it as a replacement for the root. The implant then acts as the root, not only in stabilizing and providing a base for the tooth (crown) but also giving support to the jawbone itself. As a result, the jawbone will grow and develop in much the same was as it would with the naturally occurring root. This process prevents bone loss and encourages the jawbone to develop along a natural trajectory. 

Besides the ability to seamlessly integrate in with the bone, titanium has three additional qualities that make it such a good choice for dental implants. 

1.    Titanium is an inert metal, which means that it cannot interact with and have a reaction to any other chemicals. As a dormant metal, it will not release any toxic substances into the blood stream.
2.    Titanium is non-toxic, hence it cannot cause any adverse reactions in the body once the dental implant has been put in place.
3.    Titanium is non-corrosive, so oxygen found in highly moist areas, like a root cavity, do not have the effect of causing the metal to rust. 

Learn How to Avoid Needing Braces From a Children's Dentist

As a children's dentist, it is common for parents to ask us about braces and whether or not their child will need them.  We cannot guarantee whether or not they will because it depends on a variety of factors.  For example, genetics plays a role so if you or your spouse needed braces, there is a chance that your child will as well.  This can happen more often when your family is known to have small palates that simply aren’t large enough to hold a full set of adult teeth.  Fortunately, dental technology has improved so if your child does need braces, the treatment can be completed faster and with more comfort than it used to be. 

There are, however, things that you can do to help your child to stay healthy and prevent the need for them to wear braces at a later date.  It all starts with preventative care and keeping their baby teeth clean and strong.  You can do this by taking them in for a teeth cleaning at least twice a year.  At home, you should also brush their teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to keep them strong and cavity free.  This is important because when teeth are unhealthy they are more likely to crack, chip, or get knocked out.  Healthy teeth are strong teeth so by staying focused on preventative care; you are setting them up for a lifetime of good oral health. 

As a children’s dentist, we understand how important this is for preventing the need for braces.  Baby teeth that are healthy will remain in place for longer. This is critical because if they fall out too early it creates overcrowding issues.  What happens is the baby tooth falls out, and the ones next to it start to move out of place as a result.  As those teeth encroach upon the spot that was reserved for the adult tooth, it has nowhere to go. When the tooth eventually comes in, it must do so crooked or go in front or behind another tooth.  This creates the overcrowding issues that children commonly suffer from. 

It is understandable why children have overcrowding issues when you consider how easy it is for a child to knock out a tooth while running on the playground.  A simple trip on the monkey bars can lead to a tooth falling out before its time and the remaining baby teeth shifting as a result.  You can reduce the likelihood of this happening on the sports field by having your child wear a mouth guard. 

In our children’s dentist office, we cannot eliminate the need for your child to get braces or wear an orthodontic appliance but we can reduce how many teeth are crooked. By simply preventing baby teeth from falling out too soon, we can make it so that more adult teeth come in straight and stay in the position that they are supposed to.  For more information or to schedule your appointment, call our office. 

As a children's dentist, it is common for parents to ask us about braces and whether or not their child will need them.  We cannot guarantee whether or not they will because it depends on a variety of factors.  For example, genetics plays a role so if you or your spouse needed braces, there is a chance that your child will as well.  This can happen more often when your family is known to have small pallets that simply aren’t large enough to hold a full set of adult teeth.  Fortunately, dental technology has improved so if your child does need braces, the treatment can be completed faster and with more comfort than it used to be. 

There are, however, things that you can do to help your child to stay healthy and prevent the need for them to wear braces at a later date.  It all starts with preventative care and keeping their baby teeth clean and strong.  You can do this by taking them in for a teeth cleaning at least twice a year.  At home, you should also brush their teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste to keep them strong and cavity free.  This is important because when teeth are unhealthy they are more likely to crack, chip, or get knocked out.  Healthy teeth are strong teeth so by staying focused on preventative care; you are setting them up for a lifetime of good oral health. 

As a children’s dentist, we understand how important this is for preventing the need for braces.  Baby teeth that are healthy will remain in place for longer. This is critical because if they fall out too early it creates overcrowding issues.  What happens is the baby tooth falls out, and the ones next to it start to move out of place as a result.  As those teeth encroach upon the spot that was reserved for the adult tooth, the adult tooth has nowhere to go. When it does eventually come in, it must do so crooked or go in front or behind of another tooth.  This creates the overcrowding issues that children commonly suffer from. 

It is understandable why children have overcrowding issues when you consider how easy it is for a child to knock out a tooth while running on the playground.  A simple trip on the monkey bars can lead to a tooth falling out before its time and the remaining baby teeth shifting as a result.  You can reduce the likelihood of this happening on the sports field by having your child wear a mouth guard. 

In our children’s dentist office, we cannot eliminate the need for your child to get braces or wear an orthodontic appliance but we can reduce how many teeth are crooked. By simply preventing baby teeth from falling out too soon, we can make it so that more adult teeth come in straight and stay in the position that they are supposed to.  For more information or to schedule your appointment, call our office.