Why is Titanium Used for Dental Implants?

When it comes to replacing missing teeth, dental implants are normally regarded as the best tooth replacement solution. This is because dental implants address the loss of the roots of teeth and support prosthetics that will replace visible tooth structure. Embedded into the jawbone by our oral surgeon, a dental implant is a screw-like post made of titanium. Measuring only a few millimeters in diameter, a dental implant is made from titanium because this metal is biocompatible with bone structure. After the dental implant is placed into the jaw, the bone surrounding it will fuse to it over time through a process called osseointegration.

What is osseointegration?

Osseointegration is a biological process where mineralized tissue like bone fuses to titanium prosthetics. Titanium has been used in medicine to replace knee joints, hipbones, and the vertebrae. Since teeth are mineralized tissue similar to joints and bone, titanium can be used to replace lost tooth structure since bone will anchor it in place. Essentially, a dental implant will serve as a lost tooth’s new root system and osseointegration will lead to the implant becoming stabilized and supported by bone tissue.

What happens after implantation?

After the initial implantation procedure where the dental implant is loaded into the jaw by our oral surgeon, patients will enter a recovery phase of treatment. This means they will visit our practice for frequent checkups to ensure that the dental implant is becoming stabilized by bone. In the beginning, patients will have some dietary restrictions and gradually incorporate harder foods into their diets. After the stabilization and recovery process is complete, a permanent prosthetic is attached to an abutment on the dental implant to complete the smile restoration process. A single dental implant can support a crown or bridge, both of which can be made from various types of materials including natural looking porcelain.

If you have missing teeth, we encourage you to schedule a tooth replacement consultation at our practice. At your consultation, our team can help you determine if you are a candidate for dental implants. Call us today to reserve an appointment.