Dental implants have revolutionized the entire world of dentistry. Not only can you have missing teeth replaced but you can also get artificial teeth to look and feel just like the real things. In a society which is obsessed of topping the next best invention with something that is more outrageous, implants have definitely set the bar high enough. But before delving deeper into the topic of dental implants, what are they exactly?
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are artificial replacements for missing dental roots of your teeth. Whenever you lose a tooth, you not only lose the crown, which sticks out from above the gums, but also the root which plants the tooth firmly to your gums. While dental bridges and dentures can replace the crowns, they do not provide for a new set of dental roots which explains why they are easily removed. That does not have to be the problem for dental implants, though.
How durable are dental implants exactly?
Since the main reason for why dental implants have become preferable compared to other means of replacing missing teeth is due to their durability, what exactly is the principle behind their permanency? The reason for why dental implants do not just easily fall off is because of the fact that the dental roots fuse with the bone tissues that surround the dental roots. This occurs through the process of osseointegration. Osseointegration can only happen when the titanium metal is used in creating the rod. Because of the fact that the dental implant meshes with the surrounding bone tissues, this means that dental implants can withstand the same biting forces as compared to the rest of your teeth, and do not readily fall off.
Why do dental implants look more natural compared to dentures or bridges?
In order to make it seem like you have a tooth where a gap once was, a porcelain crown is placed over the dental implant. The beauty of porcelain crowns is the fact that they have the same look as your natural teeth, including the transparency of the dental enamel layer. Moreover, porcelain makes the crown resistant stains and is extremely durable compared to crowns made with composite resin material. In fact, porcelain crowns on their own have a shelf-life of at least 10 years while composite resin crowns can crack easily. While more expensive, porcelain crowns are worth every penny you spend.
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