WHAT ARE TITANIUM IMPLANTS AND HOW CAN THEY BENEFIT YOU?

 

Titanium implants have a very high success rate and have been widely adopted as an effective way to replace missing teeth. Titanium is a bio compatible metal that is well tolerated by the human body. It also integrates well with the bone in your body and is favoured over zirconia, which is the other material that is used sometimes for dental implants.

 

What Are Titanium Implants?

An implant is a screw, which is inserted into a hole in your jaw. It functions as a replacement root for missing teeth. An abutment is fitted on top of the implant. This is a connector that will hold the implant and your new crown together.

After three to six months your jaw will grow around the implant.

 

Why Have Titanium Implants?

Titanium implants are considered advantageous to bridges and dentures for a number of reasons:

·         They perform and look like your natural teeth.

·         Implants can support dentures, bridges, and crowns and provide support for single or multiple teeth

·         You can eat and clean your implants in the same way as your natural teeth

·         Having a titanium implant provides stimulation to your jaw, encouraging regeneration of the bone

 

Who Is A Candidate For Titanium Implants?

 If you have lost one or more teeth and your bone tissue is fully developed, you may be a candidate for titanium implants.

You will also need to:

Have a healthy mouth that is free of gum disease and tooth decay.
Placing an implant in a mouth that has an infection puts the implant area at a greater risk of developing an infection

 

Practice exemplary dental hygiene

Successful dental implants require stringent plaque control so your dentist will need to ensure that your standard of dental care is very high.

 

Have sufficient bone for the implant

If a long period of time has passed since you lost your tooth, you may have suffered some bone loss. In the event that you do not have enough jaw bone to support the titanium implant, your dentist may perform a bone graft.

 

Be free of chronic conditions

Dental implants are not recommended for people with chronic conditions or conditions that affect your body’s ability to heal itself.

 

Be a non-smoker
A non-smoker has a greater chance of a successful surgery because your body can heal itself more effectively than if you smoke.

 

How Long Will Your Titanium Implants Last For?

One of the benefits of titanium is the fact that it is long lasting. With proper care and if you abstain from smoking, your titanium implants can last for many years. You can discuss the different warranties on offer from various brands with your dentist.

 

What Factors Can Cause Failure of Titanium Implants?

 

If there were no problems with healing after the implant was placed, dental implant failure is most likely to happen because of poor dental hygiene. If you do not brush properly and bacteria accumulate on the implant, it can cause an inflammatory condition called mucositis. This can lead to peri-implantitis, which causes further inflammation and bone loss surrounding the implant. This will cause the implant to loosen.

The best way to avoid implant failure is to follow your dentist’s instructions and to practice proper dental hygiene. Do not miss any recall appointments.

Titanium implants are a long-lasting, permanent and durable tooth replacement option for one or multiple missing teeth. A dental implant can restore form and function to your mouth and perform in the same manner as your natural teeth.