Osseointegration & Implants
Dentist Hillsboro
 Here at Century Dental in Hillsboro, OR we are invested in the success of every procedure we perform. One of the most impressive procedures that we perform here is dental implant placement surgery. Dental implants have a long history. Modern day dental implants offer our patients who have experienced tooth loss with a permanent tooth replacement option. Dental implants can give you back the ability to eat any food you like, and they look just like real teeth. How do dental implants restore your ability to eat? They rely on the process of osseointegration to hold the new prosthetic teeth in place firmly for years to come.
What is osseointegration?
Osseointegration describes the healing process that takes place on a foreign material that has been inserted into human bone as long as the material is biocompatible. In this case, we place titanium dental implant posts into the jaw bone and leave them to heal for several months. In most circumstances, the human body will reject any foreign material that it finds to be out of place. It requires several months for the process of osseointegration to take place because bones heal very slowly when compared to soft tissues. Think about how long a cast has to stay on a limb that received a break – it can take months. However, the process does relay on having enough bone to support the implant. If you don't have enough bone, you may need a bone graft before you are able to get dental implants.
Titanium is Key to Osseointegration Because it is Biocompatible
Most materials are not accepted into the human body unless they are supposed to be there. The human body is made to reject anything that it finds out of place. The best example of this would be a splinter that you receive from a piece of wood. A day or so after receiving the splinter, you will probably notice the site become red and swollen. In another day you may notice pus at the splinter site. This is the human body working hard to expel or dissolve the splinter because it knows that the splinter should not be there. Interestingly, titanium is not rejected by the human body, so we call it biocompatible, or compatible with the human body.
Not only is titanium biocompatible, but it’s also a fantastic material to support dental implants because it is strong, long-lasting, and doesn’t break down or corrode. Titanium dental implants can last you a lifetime!
Zirconia Dental Implants
Titanium isn’t the only biocompatible material available; zirconia can work as well. While titanium makes up the vast majority of dental implants that are placed, zirconia has an important niche to fill in the dental implant market. While titanium looks metallic, zirconia is white. In some cases, we need to consider the amount of gum tissue patients have, especially if they have had troubles with the severe periodontal disease. In situations where the implant post might show through the gums, zirconia is a great option because it saves the aesthetic beauty of the smile, allowing you to smile without having to worry.
Dental Implants Mean Freedom!
Being able to eat what you would like when you would like makes a huge difference in your quality of life. Not having to worry about taking care of dentures makes a big difference too. Call us today at (971) 708-1608, to schedule a no-obligation
consultation for dental implants today! |
