Dental Implants: A dental implant is actually a replacement for the root or roots of a tooth. Like tooth roots, dental implants are secured in the jawbone and are not visible once surgically placed. They are used to secure crowns (the parts of teeth seen in the mouth), bridgework, or dentures by a variety of means. They are made of titanium, which is lightweight, strong, and bio-compatible, which means that it is not rejected by the body. Titanium and titanium alloys are the most widely used metals in both dental and other bone implants, such as orthopaedic joint replacements. Dental implants have the highest success rate of any implanted surgical device.
Before placing dental implants, a thorough examination of your overall stomato-gnathic system (“stoma” – mouth; “gnathic” – jaws), within which the teeth function, is required. This will necessitate compiling records that include study models of your mouth and bite, and specialised radiographs (x-rays), which may include 3D scans known as computerised tomograms (CT scans). With the help of computer imaging, dental implants can be placed in the bone in exactly the right place.
