| DENTAL
IMPLANTS - What Are They?
Implants
are like your own teeth
Your
natural teeth are stable biting and chewing surfaces
because they are supported by your jawbone. This is
also true of dental implants. Successful dental implants
become firmly embedded in the jaw through osseointegration,
a natural process where the bone and implant become
integrated. This provides the same stability as natural
teeth, making it possible for your replacement teeth
to look, feel and function like natural teeth.
A
dental implant is a replacement tooth root that provides
a stable foundation for a replacement artificial tooth,
functioning very much like the root and crown of your
natural teeth:
Roots
Hold Crowns
The crowns of your natural teeth are held in
place by roots. Roots not only secure your crowns,
they also help keep your jaw healthy by stimulating
the growth of new bone. This provides good support
for your teeth. |
Implants
Hold a Prosthesis
The prosthesis (artificial tooth) is held in
place by implants, which are usually made of titanium.
Because this metal is well accepted by the body,
titanium implants rarely cause reactions. Like the
roots of natural teeth, implants also stimulate
new bone growth in your jaw. |
Implants
can have different shapes
An
implant can be threaded like a screw or it may be cylindrical
in shape with a slightly rough or textured surface.
Implants often have small holes at their lower ends.
Over time, bone grows into these surface irregularities
(osseointegration), locking the implant into place.
Learn
more about dental implants:
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