Dental implants have changed the face of dentistry in the last 25 years and recent history informs us that modern dental implants are extremely successful. A large sum of reliable scientific research and decades of clinical use have verified and validated their usefulness in replacing lost teeth. Modern dental implants have been used since the 1970s but have since undergone many design improvements, but always with a variation on the same theme.
In a series of articles we will talk about the use of implants, when someone needs implant placement, what are the options that exist and what is their difference from our natural teeth. But let's start from the beginning.
What are dental implants and how are they used to replace teeth?
A dental implant actually replaces the root or roots of a tooth. Like tooth roots, implants are secured to the jaw and are not visible after placement. They are used in order to place a crown, bridge or denture with a variety of means. They are made of titanium, which is light, strong and mostly biocompatible, which means that it is not rejected by the body. Titanium, and titanium alloys, are the most widely used metals in both dental and other bone implants, such as orthopedic joint replacements. Dental implants have the highest success rate when compared to other surgical implants.
The special property of titanium to be incorporated into bones (osseointegration) is the biological basis for the success of dental implants. This is because when teeth are lost, the bone that supported those teeth is also lost and the placement of dental implants stabilizes the bones, preventing loss. Along with replacing lost teeth, implants also help maintain the shape and density of the jaw. This means that they support the skeleton of the face and, indirectly, the structures of the soft tissues - the tissues of the gums, the cheeks and the lips. Dental implants help you eat, chew, smile, talk and look completely natural. This functionality of theirs gives us social, psychological and physical well-being.
In conclusion, tooth implants, both on a practical level as they facilitate chewing, and psychologically, help us keep our smile healthy.
Όμως, πότε χρειάζεται κάποιος την τοποθέτηση οδοντικού εμφυτεύματος; Αυτό θα το αναλύσουμε περαιτέρω στο επόμενο άρθρο μας σχετικά με τα εμφυτεύματα.