Dental implants can help improve the appearance of one’s smile by replacing missing or damaged teeth. In this way, they have offered patients around the world another chance at having a full-fledged, perfect-looking smile. They have become part of the dentist’s essential tool kit since their invention. Below, we look at what are dental implants made of.
However, many patients don’t know exactly what these implants are made of. The answer is that most implants are composed of a few simple but durable materials.
What Are Dental Implants Made Of?
If you’re interested in receiving dental implants or already have some and are curious about what they are made of, here’s an overview of the types of materials that go into making these useful dental fixtures.
Common Dental Implant Materials
The most common dental implant material is titanium. Titanium is a light yet durable material that has a number of ideal qualities in terms of its use in this process. One of these qualities is the fact that titanium is proven to be useful and capable of osseointegration – that is, it bonds well with the natural features of one’s mouth. The term that medicine uses to describe these qualities is “biocompatible”.
Titanium is often used to construct the screws that hold the rest of the implant into the rest of the mouth. In addition, it is used to construct the abutment that attaches the screw to the artificial crown of the teeth.
Zirconia is another material that’s commonly utilized in dental implants. In particular, these implants have proven useful for patients who are allergic to titanium. Zirconia implants are mainly one-piece implants that are installed in one session. Depending on the nature of your particular case, you may be recommended one or the other.
Other Dental Implant Materials
There are several other materials that are used in the construction of implants other than titanium and zirconia, though these two are the most common by far. Some of the other materials that are used include:
- Polymers: This is a biodegradable material that can be a good option for replacing teeth. Part of this is due to the fact that their form can be easily modified, making their aesthetic appearance easy to mold.
- Ceramics: There are some ceramic materials, such as carbon-silicon, that are durable enough to be a long-lasting dental implant material. However, many are brittle enough that they are prone to damage or breakage in the long term.
- Alternative metals: There are other metals that are used in the creation of dental implants. Examples include stainless steel, cobalt-chromium and gold. Oftentimes, these materials, unfortunately, have lower success rates than titanium or zirconium implants.
What Occurs During Dental Implant Installation?
The dental implant procedure requires patients to be sedated throughout the duration of their treatment. Overall, the type of implant that is used and the state of your jawbone are the primary factors that will determine how your dental implant surgery is carried out. The three primary stages of the implant procedure are as follows:
- Surgical placement: In this step, a small hole is drilled into the upper or lower jawbone, and the implant is placed. This implant will then function like a natural tooth root for the replacement tooth.
- Integration: After its placement, the implant is left to heal and integrate with the jawbone. This process is the osseointegration that is mentioned above in the article. In general, one can expect this process to take about three to six months. This element of the process is one of the reasons that titanium is the preferred substance for dental implants, as it is inclined to this naturally.
- Placement of the dental crown: The final steps of the process involve attaching the artificial tooth, known as a crown, to the rest of the implant. Some of the common materials used in this part of the process include porcelain, metals, and composite materials.
The entire process of the implant procedure can take several months. Much of it depends on how quickly the jawbone fuses with the artificial implant. At the end of the process, the successful implant will function the same way as a natural tooth. Prior to your operation, you’ll engage in a pre-surgical consultation with your physician. This will help you and your dentist make a plan for your implant installation.
The Trusted Dentist of Cerritos
Jesmine Boghawala DDS and its dedicated team are passionate about offering the residents of Cerritos the best in dentistry. If you’re interested in receiving a consultation about dental implants, contact our general dentist today in order to schedule an appointment.
