Dental Implant Composition

Dental Implant Composition

A dental implant is a man-made tooth root constructed from titanium. Titanium is a lightweight, soft, noncorroding metal. The surface of the titanium forms a natural ceramic coating when exposed to oxygen which enables bones cells to attach to it (a process called osseointegration). Since bone cells react better to titanium surfaces that are rough, most implants are put through a roughening process by the manufacturer.

To enhance bone healing, implants are sometimes coated with a calcium derivative found naturally occurring in human teeth and bones to jump start the osseointegration process called hydroxyapetite.

Implants are often threaded. In order to enhance implant placement and stability, thread shape and pitch are carefully calculated to help transfer biting force to the surrounding bone.

To learn more about Michigan Dental Implants, call Drs. Nemeth and Katranji at 248.357.3100 or email jrn@drnemeth.com or visit us on the web at http://www.drnemeth.com.

The Realities of Dental Implant Maintenance

Implant dentistry can effectively meet the restorative needs of both partially and fully edentulous patients. The five-year success rate is currrently in the 95 percent range for most implant cases. However, both the implants and the restorations they support can fail in response to local and systemic etiologic factors.

The ability to assess the reaction of the peri-implant tissues and to maintain their health is linked to improvements in the biology and mechanics that affect implant dentistry.

Implants are being fabricated from a variety of materials, and their surfaces are being modified to enhance integration . Furthermore, the restorative components are being revised to facilitate clinical procedures and to improve esthetics.

Traditional implant maintenance has in the past consisted of clinical assessment of placque control and radiographic evaluation of crestal bone levels. Additionally, it was important to determine the integrity of the connection of the prosthesis to the abutment to the implant body. However, the advent of single tooth and cemented restorations, early and immediate loading, the variety of abutment designs, and a shift in focus to more cosmetically-acceptable restorations has necessitated the development of changes in implant maintenance concepts.

To ensure the continued maintenance of optimum intraoral health, the dental team must understand how to assess the health of the peri-implant tissues, the alveolar bone housing, and the common restorative components associated with dental implants.

To learn more about dental implant maintenance, call 248.357.3100 or visit Dr. Joseph Nemeth & Associates on the web at http://www.drnemeth.com/.