SOURCE: Dear Doctor
It is widely accepted that over the last two decades, dental implants have been instrumental in revolutionizing tooth replacement and the practice of dentistry.
Did you know that the concept of dental implants is not new? The earliest recorded attempts of their use were discovered in the Mayan civilization dating back to 600 A.D!
Today, our highly successful dental implants are a viable root replacement for a natural tooth – there is no visible difference. They do not decay and are relatively free from developing gum disease. As with most treatments in modern dentistry, dental implants involve scientific discovery, research and understanding.
What is a Dental Implant?
Your teeth can essentially be thought of as having two main parts – the crown (the part above the gum tissues) and the root (the part that is suspended in the bone by the periodontal ligament (peri-around, odont-tooth) which keeps the tooth in place).
A dental implant is actually a root replacement, but unlike the root of a tooth, it becomes anchored in the bone of the jaw, formerly occupied by a tooth or teeth. The amazing thing about modern dental implants is that they actually fuse with the bone. They are for the most part made of commercially pure titanium, a metallic substance used for many years in medicine and dentistry because it is not rejected by the body.
Normally implants are placed by periodontists and oral surgeons – dental specialists who have undertaken training in implantology and surgery as part of their training.
Once integrated and functional, implant supported crowns — complete tooth replacements can last a lifetime.
To find out more, please get in touch.
