Dental Implants - How To Consumer Guide - Dental Patient Education Resources

Dental Implants - How To Consumer Guide
Dental implantology is a new branch of dentistry which involves the reconstruction of missing teeth and their supporting structures with natural or synthetic (alloplastic, allogenic or autogenous) substitutes.
Denture wearers, familiar with the discomfort associated with painful dentures that do not stay in place when eating and talking, have often experienced mental and physical suffering and a loss of self confidence as a result.
Even if they are constructed to the highest possible specifications, there are many problems associated with dentures and conventional restorations (e.g. construction of dental bridges require cutting and grinding of usually healthy adjacent teeth).
Once the natural teeth are lost, the bone in which they were embedded begins to shrink. This process, known as bone atrophy (similar to muscle wasting when limbs are no longer used) can alter facial appearance and may necessitate the periodic replacement of dentures.
Osseointegration
In 1952, Professor Per-Ingvar Branemark, a Swedish surgeon, while conducting research into the healing patterns of bone tissue, accidentally discovered that when pure titanium comes into direct contact with the living bone tissue, the two literally grow together to form a permanent biological adhesion. He named this phenomenon "osseointegration."
Today, modern dental implants, developed from the principles of osseointegration, are routinely used in hundreds of clinics and hospitals world-wide, and sought after by thousands of patients because they have been proven to provide comfortable, permanent and attractive tooth replacements as an alternative to removable dentures and conventional bridges.
Dental implant benefits
People are who missing one or more of their natural teeth may benefit from dental implants for the following reasons:
Implants bond biologically to the living bone tissue.
Once united with the bone, they support teeth firmly and safely.
Implants restore function and aesthetics to normal levels.
Eating, talking and chewing need no longer be painful experiences.
Dental implants prevent progressive bone atrophy and shrinkage.
Dental implants help to preserve bone levels and a youthful facial appearance. Like artificial joints, they have a proven scientific basis.
Implants utilize a titanium or ceramic "root" positioned within the jawbone, to which an artificial tooth or crown is attached. A dental implant is designed to replace missing teeth. Implants usually look and feel most like natural teeth of any replacement procedure.