Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Dental Implants Preserve Quality Of Life

Dental Implants Preserve Quality Of Life
By Lee Grimsworth


Dental implants are used to provide support prosthetics used in dentistry such as bridges or crowns. They typically are composed of a titanium screw which imitates an actual tooth root. They are placed in the bone of the jaw. The bone is eventually osseointegrated. This property provides the natural appearance and feel.

An example of such a method was discovered in 1931. The mandible of a young woman was found in Honduras which dated back 1300 years to the Mayan civilization of approximately 600 AD. The woman's mandible had shells that had been placed in her tooth sockets to replicate her teeth.

The medical value of titanium was being explored in the early 1950s. It was beginning to be used with bone throughout the human body because it was found to bond tightly. As studies continued, a patent was filed for in 1969. Currently, over seven million people in the world have benefited from the use of titanium in dentistry.

This procedure has an extremely high success rate of nearly 95%. There are several determinants of success such as practitioner skill, oral hygiene and bone quality. The key to success is achieving and maintaining stability. Osseointegration failure equals failure of the procedure. Patients who smoke have a higher risk of this occurring. Candidates are often required to stop smoking before being treated.

As with all treatments, there are some contraindications. Some diseases such as diabetes lead to a slower healing process which may disqualify a candidate. The oral bisphonates that some who are fighting cancer must take could lead to osteonecrosis. Bruxism which is teeth grinding may also lead to disqualification. This grinding can cause movement and thus, decreased stability, during the healing process.

X-rays and CT scans are required prior to surgery. The practitioner needs to determine the best angle of implantation. These are helpful in that determination, especially the three dimensional CT, or computed tomography, scan.

The procedure is usually carried out over the course of at least two surgeries. Healing time varies. At least 2-6 months are required to achieve the needed strength and healing before the second step can be done. It is very important not to move on before complete healing has been achieved. The second step is usually the placement of the prosthetic.

Dental implants have helped millions of people deal with problems such as tooth loss without giving up their favourite foods. Unique and personal facial features can also be preserved.




About the Author:



Dental Implants Preserve Quality Of Life

0 comments:

Post a Comment

 
My Simple Clean News powered by blogger.com
Blogerized By Zomskin Design by Blogger Templates Simple Clean