Five Facts About Dental Implants
1 – They can help prevent bone loss
One of the key benefits of dental implants is that they prevent bone loss. They help to maintain the health of your jawbone. When a tooth is lost (whether it was lost naturally, through trauma or extracted clinically), the bone around the tooth will shrink back [this is called resorption] as the bone demineralises. This can be problematic for patients and can result in poor fitting dentures. When dental implants are placed, they go through a process known as osseointegration, allowing them to function in the same way as a natural tooth, stimulating bone growth just a normal tooth would. This also helps to prevent premature aging, as losing jawbone creates a sunken look.
2 – The first dental implant was believed to have been placed around 600AD
Implants have been commonplace in dentistry for many years and, thanks to modern materials and technology, this is now a very successful procedure. However, archologists have found evidence of dental implants being placed as early as 600, fixed into the jaws of Mayan women. We cannot imagine that the procedure would have been as smooth or painless as it is today, not to mention the prognosis or success rate!
3 – Implants can last a long time
Dental implants themselves, once placed, can last as long as a natural tooth. The crowns or bridges that attached made require replacing, but the implants themselves and integrated into your bone and built to last.
It should be noted that longevity is very much dependant on implant care. Your surgeon will provide you with all the relevant information to ensure that you know how to appropriately look after your implants.
4 – They are made from the same material NASA use for rockets
Implants are generally made with titanium - this material is light but extremely strong, so much so that NASA use this when making rockets for space travel. Titanium has now been used for dental implants for over 50 years.
5 – Implant success rates are very high
Dental implants have a high success rate (over 95% in the UK), and those statistics just keep rising. Implant failure is very rare, and this is for a number of reasons. Every measure is before, during and after implant placement to ensure implant success. Implant surgeons will assess the patient, their oral health, and their individual circumstances to confirm that they are suitable candidates for the treatment. Scans are taken to assess the bone prior to placement and to allow for accurate planning. Aftercare is also incredibly important, from reviews to hygiene appoints and this will all be discussed with you when you visit.
It should also be noted that age is not a deciding factor when deciding if a patient is suitable for implants.
