in dental implants
The purpose of the dental implants It is equivalent to that met by the roots of the teeth. In fact, they are fixed pieces that are placed in the maxilla and that serve as support and support for the prosthesis with which one or more teeth that have been lost are replaced.
Currently, The most widely used material for the manufacture of dental implants is titanium.
Why is titanium used in dental implants?
There are several reasons to consider titanium as the ideal material for dental implants, among the most important are its excellent biocompatibilitywhich prevents rejection by the body, and its ability to adhere to bone in a process called osseointegrationwhich allows the implant to remain fixed and immovable.
The biocompatibility of titanium, together with its mechanical qualities of hardness, lightness and resistance, have made possible a large number of extremely useful applications for medical purposes, such as hip and knee replacements, as well as heart valves and pacemakers.
At the same time, titanium has a high resistance to rust and other chemical processeswhich makes it one of the most corrosion resistant metals.
How are titanium dental implants placed?
The placement of a titanium implant is a process that takes place in 2 phases, the surgical and the prosthetic.
In the surgical phase, the titanium implant or screw is placed in the bone, which will serve as an anchor for the prosthesis. The dental implant surgery It is performed on an outpatient basis using local anesthesia.
The healing and osseointegration process normally lasts 3 to 4 months and during this time the patient can use temporary prostheses.
Once the implant is attached to the bone, the second phase begins. The implant is discovered and a healing abutment is placed so that the gum does not cover it again. After two weeks, the dental specialist takes an impression to create the new teeth. Posts or attachments are attached to the implant and crowns are placed over them.
Can titanium dental implants cause allergy or rejection?
Thanks to its excellent biocompatibility, It is very rare that titanium dental implants cause allergy or rejection by the body.
What can happen is that the necessary osseointegration is not achieved to adequately maintain the implant in the mouth.
This lack of osseointegration may be due to technical problems during surgery by the dental professional, post-operative complications, or patient-related issues such as poor hygiene.
What other materials are dental implants made of?
Dental implants are also made of zirconium., a ceramic material of extreme hardness and resistance that is used for the manufacture of bridges and dental crowns. Its white color is very similar to that of the original dental pieces and it has an extraordinary durability.
Zirconium dental implants are bonded to bone through biointegration, a chemical bond that occurs through a layer formed between the bone surface and the implant surface.
Despite its advantages, there are not many long-term studies on its durability, nor its use for total rehabilitations.
Zirconium implants are also not recommended for immediate loading (placing screw-retained or cemented teeth to the implant the same day of surgery), in addition to being more expensive.
At Periodontics and Implants Dr. Daniel Fernández we place only titanium dental implants of recognized brands and approved by the FDA.
If you want more information about dental implants or other dental treatment, do not hesitate to contact us through our different means of contact.