Numerous patients who are missing teeth come to Astoria Dental Group to learn about dental implants. These artificial tooth roots are able to support dentures and individual crowns, helping your smile look its best while achieving restored overall function. Dr. Clifford Degel and Dr. Carmen Every-Degel are proud to have helped so many NYC patients in Queens as well as people coming in from Long Island.
There are different materials used to craft dental implants, but one of the most enduring and important materials is titanium. Let’s delve into medical and dental care history to explore the benefits of titanium dental implants.
Why Titanium Is Used for Dental Implants
The answer to this dates back to the 1950s and 1960s. Swedish physician Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark was doing research on rabbits who had titanium cylinders placed near their leg bones. He found that the titanium cylinders had fused with the bone and were difficult to remove.
Dr. Branemark called this fusion of bone and titanium “osseointegration.” With further research and testing, Dr. Branemark placed the first successful dental implant in 1965. So you see, dental implants came about partially through serendipity.
Biocompatibility and the Treatment of Tooth Loss
Biocompatibility is essential for the success of implant dentistry. Previous attempts to create dental implants failed because the metals and allows used were rejected by the body. Even durable metal alloys would only last a few years without merging with the jawbone.
Titanium fuses with bone structure, which allows titanium dental implants to function much like natural tooth roots.
Titanium Dental Implants Have a High Rate of Success
On the note of biocompatibility and success, titanium dental implants have a good track record of success. This is backed up by decades of reliability as the primary material used for dental implants. Osseointegration means stability and a method of preventing bone loss along the dental arch, which is a serious risk when someone is missing teeth.
Titanium Dental Implants Are Extremely Durable
Titanium dental implants are also great because of their durability. They have a low risk of breaking or wearing down. They are durable, and when in place, they act much like bone structure. This means patients won’t have to worry about the implant getting damaged from normal biting and chewing.
Titanium Dental Implants Last for a Long Time
Thanks to the durability of titanium dental implants, patients who get these implants can expect long-term success. It’s estimated that titanium dental implants can last around 30 years or more. Proper aftercare and regular dental visits will help prolong the health of a dental implant and ensure optimal results.
Are Dental Implants Right for Me?
The best way to find out if dental implants are right for you is to visit our practice for a consultation. We an go over the risks, benefits, and costs associated with implant dentistry. This will help you make the right decision given your dental health needs and financial situation.
Learn More About Implant Dentistry
If you live in NYC or on Long Island and want to learn more about the benefits of dental implants for treating tooth loss, be sure to contact our skilled team of cosmetic and restorative dentists. Astoria Dental Group can be reached in Queens by calling (718) 831-6975.
