Dental Implants Facts



Dental Implants Facts

7 Facts About Dental Implants

We know what dental implants are- they are titanium screws that are inserted into the jaw to replace teeth roots that have been damaged or diseased. Dental implants are great solutions for people with missing teeth who don’t require dentures. Unlike dentures, which are better suited for patients with multiple missing teeth, implants are permanent solutions that are durable, and have the look and feel of the patient’s natural teeth. Below are seven facts about dental implants that you may not have known:

  1. Dental implants can’t get cavities. The “teeth” in dental implants are usually made of porcelain, gold or a mixture, not enamel. These nonporous surfaces prevent germs and bacteria from attaching to the tooth, preventing the start of cavities. This does not mean that you should not brush and clean your dental implants, however. The teeth surrounding the implant are still susceptible to cavities.
  2. Dental implants stimulate bone growth. Implants are the only form of restorative dental treatment that not only fixes the issue and prevents future issues, but promotes cell growth. Dental implants are a great solution for missing teeth because it is readily received by your body’s cells. The bone growth caused by implants increase your gums’ strength and resilience to gum disease.
  3. Implants are not immune to gum disease. Though it would seem that implants, which are made of titanium, and not of living matter, should not be vulnerable to disease and decay. Dental implants, however, are surrounded by living cells in the form of gums and teeth. As mentioned earlier, dental implants stimulate bone growth which creates the probability that germs and bacteria can attach to the gum tissue and cause decay and infection.
  4. Dental implants are strong. It would appear that inserting metal screws into the jaw would create a strong and permanent fix. No ordinary metal is used in implants, however. Titanium, which is used to build rockets, planes and engines, is the metal of choice for implants. Metal that can endure extreme temperatures and moisture are inserted into your gums! In fact, implants can withstand a chewing force of 200 pounds, compared to dentures that can handle 50 pounds.
  5. Dental implants are highly successful. When it comes to restorative dental procedures, dental implants are one of the most successful having around a 96% success rate.
  6. Dental implants have been around awhile. Dental implants have been traced back to around 600 AD. The first implant involved tooth-shaped pieces of shells which were hammered into the jaw of a Mayan woman.
  7. There is a great need for dental implants. It is estimated that more than 35 million Americans don’t have any teeth, one-quarter of which are seniors over the age of 74. Over 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, most of which are between the ages of 35 and 44.

Implants are a great solution if you’re looking for a durable, comfortable and aesthetically pleasing way to fill in missing teeth due to tooth decay, gum disease or trauma. At Scarsdale Dentistry, we have experienced dentists who have experience in dental implants. Even if you have dentures, dental implants can be used to provide additional support for your dentures. We offer denture stabilization and all on 4 implants.

 



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