Dental implants are one of the longest lasting and most popular treatments for missing teeth. Implants provide the advantage of bonding with your jawbone as well as being permanent and stationary in your mouth. Part of what makes implants such a good choice for tooth replacement is the materials they’re made from—titanium and porcelain.
The Importance of Titanium
A dental implant consists of two parts. The root portion is placed directly in the jawbone and is made of titanium. Titanium is one of the major reasons implants work so well and are such a good choice for tooth replacement. This is because titanium, as well as some titanium alloys, naturally bonds to bone tissue.
When your implants are first placed, your periodontist sets the root portion directly into the jawbone. You then go through a healing period of a few weeks while the titanium bonds to the jawbone through a process called osseointegration. Once the implant has bonded properly, it will remain stationary and secure in your jaw. In addition, the implant will help stimulate the jawbone to continue with normal growth in the same way a natural tooth root would. This means implants are permanent, secure, don’t move or become loose in the mouth, and also help prevent atrophy of the jawbone.
The Importance of Porcelain
Just as the materials for your replacement tooth root are carefully chosen, so are the materials used to construct the visible portion of your new teeth. Many prosthetic teeth used with implants are made of porcelain or similar materials, again because of the substance’s special properties.
Porcelain is very durable and can be specifically color-matched to your existing teeth. It is also semi-translucent, a property it shares with natural tooth enamel. This means it partially absorbs light before reflecting it. Natural enamel layered over natural dentin reflects light in much the same way. Thus the use of porcelain for prosthetic teeth will give you a smile virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
For more information about dental implants, contact our experienced periodontal team by calling 214-443-0877 today.