Titanium Dental Implants

Oral surgeons have a several types of dental implants they may use, but the titanium implant is becoming the most common choice. This is because a titanium dental implant is associated with the optimal preservation of bone density, and because these implants are more durable than subperiosteal implants. Subperiosteal implants use a metal frame designed to fit over the jawbone and beneath the gums.

What is a Dental Implant?

Dental implants are ideal restoration solutions for missing teeth. Enjoy the foods you love without the discomfort of traditional, removable dentures. Because dental implants are designed to fuse with bone, the artificial tooth roots provide a secure and stable foundation for permanent crowns and dentures. Implant-supported dentures are the closest option to having natural teeth.

Dental implants have just a few main parts. The implant itself, often called the post, is implanted into the jawbone. An abutment screws on top of the implant. The third main component is the crown, which is the white part that looks like a natural tooth. It encases the entire post and abutment.

The Basic Benefits of a Titanium Dental Implant

Titanium dental implants are those that are surgically implanted directly into the jawbone. This allows the implant post to remain firmly anchored in place, as the bone fuses to it over time. Essentially, a titanium implant mimics the function of a natural tooth root. Subperiosteal implants are not nearly as durable or strong as titanium implants, but titanium does offer these benefits:

  • Strong and Sturdy- Titanium is strong but extremely lightweight. It is lighter and stronger than steel and returns to its original shape after bending.
  • Biocompatible- Besides fusing with bone effectively through osseointegration, titanium has no harmful effects on the body. It is nonallergenic and nontoxic. Titanium dental implants that osseointegrate can stay in place for 30 years or more.
  • Minimal Corrosion- Titanium belongs to the group of corrosion-resistant alloys. Titanium resists corrosion by forming a protective layer of titanium dioxide that makes it difficult for water and chemicals to penetrate.

The Dental Implant Procedure

The dental implant procedure happens in several appointments that are several months apart. In the first step, the surgical placement of the implant, the immediate area will be sufficiently numbed with local anesthesia. An incision is made in your gums to place the dental implant into the jawbone in the location of your missing tooth. Once the implant is placed, the incision is sutured closed.

You will recover at home and will return for the second phase in a few months. That gives enough time for the bone to grow around the implant, making it secure and stable. This process is called osseointegration, meaning the titanium combines with the bone.

Once it is determined that the implant is secure, a connecting extension piece called an abutment is placed over the post portion of the implant. This is the part that will hold the new tooth.

When your gums heal, impressions of your teeth are made and a custom replacement tooth is created, also called a crown. The crown is attached to the abutment and you have a new artificial tooth. With the artificial root it acts just like a natural tooth.

Permanent Dentures