Dental Implant Materials
Tulsa, OK
 Dental implants provide a remedy for missing teeth by replacing tooth roots. They act as a robust foundation for fixed or removable artificial teeth that are customized to resemble your surrounding teeth.
There are different kinds of dental implants to fit your condition, with the common options being:
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Endosteal implants: These are titanium implants that are surgically placed into the jawbone at the site of the missing tooth.
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Subperiosteal implants: They are fixed atop your jawbone but beneath the gum tissue.
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Zygomatic implants: These are the least popular type of implants and are selected only if your jawbone is inadequate for supporting an endosteal implant. |
Dental Implant Materials
Dental implants are made of substances that naturally bond with your jawbone to encourage its natural growth. This process is called biocompatibility. Here are two of the best materials used to make dental implants:
Titanium
The titanium used to create dental implants can either be pure or an alloy. Pure titanium consists of trace elements like oxygen, iron, nitrogen, and carbon. On the contrary, alloys are typically joined with elements such as aluminum and vanadium.
Titanium implants are known to be successful 95% of the time, and can endure for a lifetime if you maintain healthy oral habits. However, a small percentage of patients may have an allergic reaction to titanium.
Moreover, some people have aesthetic concerns associated with titanium implants. In case of a thin or receding gum line, a dark patch may show up underneath the gums where the implant has been inserted.
Zirconia
Zirconia implants are a common alternative to titanium ones. They are created from a ceramic material that is hypoallergenic, which means that it does not cause any sensitivities or allergies.
These implants resemble your original teeth, making them unobservable under the gums. Zirconia is biocompatible, just like titanium.
A zirconia implant is in one piece and comprises both the post and abutment. The healing process may be more complicated as the implant cannot be wholly hidden beneath the gum tissue and movement can hinder osseointegration.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are long-lasting replacements for extremely decayed or damaged teeth. Here are some of the prominent benefits of implants:
Bone Loss Prevention
After a tooth weakens and falls out, you may lose some bone mass in your jawbone. The jawbone needs the stimulation it gets when your teeth link with each other. Dental implants put a stop to bone loss by providing the stimulation required.
Bite Force Restoration
Dental implants are properly attached to your jawbone for tooth root replacement. They enable you to bite with the same amount of force as your natural teeth. Other tooth replacement techniques typically do not restore bite force thoroughly as they just rest on top of the gums without being surgically fixed in position.
Easy to Maintain
You do not require any specific tools to care for dental implants. All you need to do is brush and floss daily, just like you do to maintain your natural teeth. There is no requirement for instruments such as cleaning tablets, adhesives, cups, or special flossers.
Dental implants, whether produced from titanium or zirconia, have the advantage of being long-lasting and reliable tooth replacement options. If you have a tooth missing, a dental implant may just be the solution you need. Schedule an appointment with us at Smiles of Tulsa by calling us at (918) 891-3059 today.
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