Dental Implants: How To Decide If They Are Appropriate For You

While we have certainly seen major developments within the field of dental implants over the last two decades, the idea is definitely an old one. The concept of replacing a tooth with something that is permanently attached to the jaw has been around since the ancient Egyptians. Archaeologists have discovered implanted precious stones where teeth had been lost in the skulls of Ancient Egyptian remains. Ruins were found in Mexico where Mayan remains boasted tooth implants in their jawbones which were made from seashells.

That being said, tooth loss is one of the most common afflictions and being able to permanently replace the lost tooth remains at the core of dentistry. If you have a missing tooth, you can certainly understand why.

For decades the process was a long and arduous one. It required multiple surgeries, and the risk of bacterial infection in the aftermath was high. But as it served as the only option, it did not deter everyone. But today many more patients are signing up for dental implants as the procedure becomes safer and faster.

Today, there are three research advances that have been made over the last two decades that have made dental implants a more practical and workable option for patients:

1. Tooth implants now substitute the common idea of rooting the tooth with some metal anchor posts that create a fixed bridge or snap into place like an over-denture. Today, the posts are constructed out of titanium, which is biologically compatible and non-toxic.
2. Osseointegration is the second critical discovery. This refers to cases where the healing jawbone grows into the post of the dental implant. This natural union seals the tooth with the bone tissue thus preventing harmful bacteria from the bone tissue from escaping.
3. The final breakthrough can be computerized tomography. This is used to develop a model of the surface of your jawbone. This removes any need for preliminary surgery that was once used to make impressions of your jawbone. Now, computerized tomography (CT) imaging can make the implant of a tooth a one-step process. 

Of course, dental implants are not necessarily for everyone. But current research has expanded the scope of the procedures beyond the dreams of dentists everywhere... or at least beyond the dreams of Ramses II. Talk to a dentist at HP Family Dental today to see if dental implants are now a viable option for you. He or she will certainly provide you with more information about them that will help you make an informed decision.