Carlsbad Implant Dentist
Dental Implants: What Are They?
You've heard of dental implants, but what exactly are they? Do they make for a better solution than dentures or bridgework?
Dental implants are exactly what they sound like; a prosthetic replacement for lost and/or injured natural teeth. These are actually embedded into the gum, just like natural teeth, and properly done, are impossible to distinguish from the real thing.
Such artificial implants have been around for some time - thousands of years, in fact - and are today the centerpiece of cosmetic and restorative dentistry.
Types of Dental Implants
There are several different types of dental implants used today, but the most common and effective type are those made from titanium. The science and technology of such implants are closely related to those behind bone grafting and hip and joint replacement; dental implants are made possible by the unique properties of titanium, which allow it to literally fuse with organic bone material. In fact, the roots of dental implants, although bearing a superficial resemblance to those of natural roots, actually have the appearance of threaded industrial screws or bolts - which is exactly what they are.
Dental implants may be used alone or in combination with other restorative techniques, such as pontics (bridgework) or even dentures.
Find the Right Carlsbad Implant Dentist
Not all patients with missing or damaged teeth are good candidates for dental implants, and only a qualified dental professional can make this determination. However, there are some guidelines; for instance, although dental implants have an extremely high success rate (well over 90%), tobacco use is known to have an adverse effect on implant work; those who smoke or chew tobacco are advised to discontinue their use of tobacco products in they intend to have dental implants.
Since the success of dental implants is dependent on how well the metal fuses with the bone (a process known as osseointegration), people who suffer from weakened bones due to osteoporosis or calcium deficiency are not good candidates for dental implants.