subject: Implant Dentistry: Procedure History And Treatment Overview [print this page] The dental implant procedure simply refers to the cosmetic dentistry process of placing a false tooth in the gums to replace a missing tooth. The implanted tooth not only replaces the missing tooth effectively, but also provides support to the adjacent teeth.
With dental implants, an artificial tooth is fitted into the missing tooth cavity by means of a titanium screw. While fitting the tooth into the gums, the practical aspects like compatibility of the tooth color with the natural tooth colors, and the response of the tooth to normal actions like chewing the food is taken into consideration.
The best ratio of the implant depth is 1:1. That means, as much of the tooth is outside, the same height of the tooth is placed inside the gums. Since titanium is the sole choice for dental implant screws, it is worthwhile to know why it is so. Swedish professor Per-Ingvar Brnemark performed the first titanium dental implant on a Swedish volunteer in 1965.
The works of the Swedish Professor proved that the metal Titanium (Ti) has a unique property for the process of osseointegration. The osseointegration property simply means that the living bone cells of the body are able to fuse with titanium. Thus, evidently the reason for using a titanium implant screw is that, with time the metal will become a part of the jawbone. The most common titanium version used in dental implants today is Grade 5 Titanium (Titanium 6Al-4V). The terminology 6Al- 4V simply means that the titanium alloy screw has 4% Vanadium and 6% Aluminum in it.
It is also important to know the difference between dental implant and dental bridges. Dental implants are tooth structures that are surgically implanted into the gum. On the other hand, dental bridges are false teeth that are held in place by two porcelain crowns attached to adjacent teeth.
The maintenance of both dental bridges and dental implants depends on the maintenance of proper oral hygiene. People with the problem of bruxism are not recommended to dental implants or dental bridges unless the grinding teeth problem is properly resolved.
by: Penelope Stone
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