What Are Dental Implants Made Of? Everything You Need To Know

If you’re considering dental implants in Mandeville, you may be wondering what they’re made of, and how they work. In this blog from the Mandeville Center for Dental Excellence, we’ll discuss the most common materials used for implants, why they’re used, and much more. Read on and learn with us.

Dental Implants Are Made Of Durable, Strong Titanium Alloys

Dental implants usually consist of a screw-shaped “rod” or “post” made of titanium. Dr. Schof will create a detailed implant placement plan, then place this piece of metal directly into your gums and jaw bone.

There are a few reasons that titanium is used for dental implants. First, it’s extremely strong and light, and has excellent corrosion resistance, even in the challenging environment of the human mouth.

But the most important reason is that titanium is “biocompatible,” meaning that your body treats it just like a natural part of your mouth. When titanium is placed into your jaw bone, the surrounding bone will not reject the implant. Instead, it will begin to grow around it, permanently fusing the titanium with the bone in a process called “osseointegration.” 

This property was first discovered in the 1950s, and is why titanium is used in so many different implants in the body, including dental implants. Because the titanium implant is permanently bonded with your jaw bone, it will basically become a natural part of your mouth, and will offer a stable, secure attachment point for an implant restoration like a dental crown.

Best of all, the implant will never fail as long as you maintain good oral hygiene. The bond to your jaw is permanent, and will never weaken unless the area becomes infected or damaged.

Implant Restorations May Be Made Of Multiple Materials

The term “dental implant” usually refers only to the post or rod that’s implanted into your gums. Implant restorations are the false teeth used to restore your smile, and they can be made of a lot of different materials.

• Single-tooth implants – Single-tooth implants use crowns that are made of a tooth-like ceramic porcelain material. Depending on the crown, they may be made purely of porcelain, or also incorporate a metal base.
• Implant-supported bridges – Similarly to dental crowns, Implant-supported bridges are usually made of ceramic materials but may include metal elements to attach to the dental implant.
• Implant-supported dentures – Implant-supported dentures like All-On-Four and Hybridge are usually made with ceramic teeth that attach to a plastic base. Metal may also be incorporated into the design so that the dentures can snap onto your dental implants.

The specifics of the materials used in your restoration will vary based on your oral health, your needs, and the type of implants you get. To learn more, just ask Dr. Schof during your next appointment at Mandeville Center For Dental Excellence!

Find Out If Implants Are Right For You – Schedule An Appointment Today!

Dental implants are the best way to restore your missing teeth and enjoy a natural-looking, natural-feeling smile in Mandeville. So don’t wait. If you are interested in the benefits of implants, contact the Mandeville Center For Dental Excellence online or call us at (985) 626-4401 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Charles Schof.