How Dental Implants Revolutionized Tooth Replacement

middle aged couple happy enjoying lunchAlthough there are numerous options for replacing lost teeth, only dental implants can replace the tooth roots that once rested in your jawbone. Replacing the top parts of your teeth, or crowns, can restore your ability to bite, chew, and enunciate your words, as well as restore your smile’s beautiful, healthy appearance. By rebuilding the support of roots embedded in your jawbone, however, dental implants allow your dental prosthesis to function better while preserving the long-term integrity of your smile.

Tooth Loss and Jawbone Deterioration

Your body is a highly-efficient machine that instinctively maximizes the energy (food) it absorbs. As far as your body is concerned, your jawbone’s primary function is to support your teeth and supply them with essential minerals and nutrients, like calcium, through their roots. When you bite and chew, stimulated roots facilitate a healthy flow of nutrient-rich blood to your jaw; if a root is absent, your body registers the loss and redirects the tooth’s portion of nutrients elsewhere. Over time, the nutrient deficiency can lead to jawbone deterioration, and your weakened jawbone may lead to further tooth loss.

What is Osseointegration?

The benefits of dental implants are many; aside from supporting your replacement teeth, they also help reestablish the stimulation necessary to keep your jawbone strong and healthy. Dental implants are surgically inserted into the jawbone, which takes about 4-6 months to heal. Their secret lies in a phenomenon known as osseointegration, by which your jawbone fuses to the implant as it heals. During osseointegration, your jawbone biologically accepts the titanium implant and fuses to its surface, securing the implant in a similar manner to how it supports your teeth’s roots.

Scientifically-Advanced Dental Implants

Since they became acceptable for clinical use, dental implants have enjoyed an over 90% success rate. Still, concerns may arise with osseointegration, or with infection from the mouth’s many kinds of bacteria during the healing process. To increase the effectiveness of implant placement, researchers from Michigan Technological University have developed TiO2 (titanium oxide) nanotubes to coat the surface of titanium implants. The nanotubes significantly encouraged cell growth, improving the success and integrity of osseointegration. The nanotubes can also be loaded with agents that fight infection and inflammation to improve the longevity of implanted replacement teeth.

About Your Park Ridge Implant Dentists:

We can rebuild your smile if it’s compromised by cavities, gum disease, or tooth loss, but preventing such issues with preventive dental care can help you avoid the need for complex treatment later. Dr. Maria and Dr. Thanasi Loukas are highly-skilled general, restorative, and implant dentists serving the Park Ridge and surrounding Chicago communities. To schedule an appointment, call Loukas General Dentistry today at (847) 696-1919.

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