What Are Dental Implants Made of?
Dental implants involve the replacement of missing teeth. The American Academy of Implant Denistry states that since the 1980s, more than seven million implants have been inserted. Modern technology allows replacement teeth to blend in with other teeth providing a natural look. Technology also provides for implants to be as durable as natural teeth.
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History
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Believe it or not, implants have been around for thousands of years. The American Academy of Dental Implants reports that ancient Egyptians used shells as a substitute for missing teeth. Fossils found in Central America show that Mayans also used shells to replace teeth. In the 1950s, Swedish surgeon P. I. Branemark began experimenting with titanium in regard to implants. With his revolutionary findings, implants became readily manufactured in the 1980s.
Process
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A dental implant consists of two pieces. A titanium root is anchored into the bone. A crown resembling the missing tooth is then placed on the titanium device. The implant is done in two phases. The first step involves placing the titanium root in the mouth. The root then needs time to heal allowing for bone to grow around it. After the healing process, a crown is matched to appear like the rest of the teeth in a person's mouth.
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Titanium
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The dental implant is made of titanium and resembles a screw. An inert lightweight metal, titanium is widely used in implants because it effectively bonds with a person's bone, in a process called osseointegration. The titanium screw-like fixture is inserted in the jaw bone serving as a base for a custom-made crown. The crown is made of cermaics.
Mini Implants
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Another dental implant option is the mini implant. As the name suggests, a mini implant is the dimension of a toothpick. The mini implant is composed of titanium alloy and can be placed in one visit. The mini implant consists of a slender titanium rod with a retaining fixture that holds a rubber ring that behaves like a socket.
Health Risks
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Like any procedure, there is always the risk of failure. However, the Consumer Guide to Dentistry reports that dental implants have a success rate of at least 90 percent. If performed by an experienced implantologist, an implant can last for decades. Since titanium is not composed of living tissue and the metal is accepted in the human body, there is no risk for rejection.
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