Tooth Implants – Why They Work Effectively
Tooth Implants have seen a major surge in popularity recently due to their improved success rate and restorative tooth function they provide. Like many medical and dental advances, Tooth Implants have had an extensive history. Clinical studies have confirmed their increasing efficacy over time; this article will explain why today’s implants are so successful and explore what factors contribute to this growth. Plus, learn how Tooth Implants are placed for an overview of the process with visual aids including images of each component used during placement.
Early Evidence of Tooth Implant Success – Low Success Rate
In the 1930s, excavation of an infant Mayan woman thought to date back around 600 AD revealed some of the first-known evidence of Tooth Implants. At first, these implants were believed to be ornamentation for her death and commonplace in ancient Egypt; however, radiography revealed they had actually been placed before she passed away and bone had grown around two implants. Although the Mayan culture is renowned for its achievements and innovations, no similar artifacts exist today; thus making it difficult to determine why certain Tooth Implants worked while others didn’t.
Experimentation Continues – Failures Unknown
In the 19th century, Tooth Implants underwent much experimentation. Many were placed immediately after extractions in platinum or gold and showed evidence of disapproval when others attempted to implant human teeth during that era. Even those 19th-century implants which initially worked were not able to last.
An Unexpected Breakthrough in 20th Century Science Provides Important Hints
Dr. P.I. Branemark, a Swedish orthopedist, originally designed tooth implants as part of his research on bone regeneration and healing. At that time, Branemark had not yet published his findings on tooth implants but continued his investigation into bone healing and regeneration for other purposes. He used optical chambers made of titanium screws embedded in bone to study this process. After watching for several months, he concluded that reuseing these chambers would be costly as the bone had hardened around the screws. Branemark was able to venture outside his “standard” discipline to study the intriguing potentials of implant dentistry, since the outcomes could be observed clinically. (Today, titanium implants remain essential components in joint replacements and prosthetics.)
Branemark and his team coined the term osseointegration to describe a successful structural and functional connection between living bone and an artificial load-bearing implant. After placing his first titanium Tooth Implant in 1965, Branemark continued researching this topic for years. Finally, in 1982 he presented his scientific findings at the Toronto Conference on Osseointegration in Clinical Dentistry; which marked a watershed moment in how titanium Tooth Implants were accepted and recognized worldwide.
What Can We Learn About Success?
We have observed that Tooth Implant success and osseointegration generally are determined by several factors. The most influential elements include:
- Biocompatibility of Implant Material Titanium is ideal not only because it’s well tolerated by the human body, but it’s also free from corrosion issues like stainless steel. Biocompatibility must be taken into account both temporarily and longterm when choosing an implant material, so research on other biocompatible materials continues.
- The implant’s style or shape In 1937 Dr. Alvin Strock of Harvard University proposed using an implant with a screw shape, which has since become the most well-known design option available today. Further design research is ongoing today to further improve this popular option.
- The surface of an implant is one of the top research topics to determine what coatings should be used and how porous they should be for optimal osseointegration and long-term success.
- Tooth Implants can only be successful when the recipient bone tissue is taken care of. Bone grafts or dental restorations may need to be performed prior to implant placement if the host’s tissue is in poor condition.
- It is essential to know when and how the bone, as well as any surrounding tissue, are surgically prepared for implant placement. Damage or disruption to this delicate tissue can drastically decrease chances of success. Recently, researchers have been investigating how many steps of preparation are necessary for optimal success with one-step implant products/processes becoming increasingly popular.
- Force and its effect on dental implants is still being researched. The direction of force is important, as it will vary depending on where in the mouth the implant is positioned. Detrimental loads typically lead to bone loss and eventual failure of the Tooth Implant. For optimal outcomes, all aspects of loading–immediate, intermediate or delayed–must be studied more thoroughly for best outcomes.
- Tooth Implants boast a high success rate (about 95%) according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, but success can vary depending on where the implant is placed. Furthermore, factors that determine success do not take into account other aspects of a patient’s general health which could also impact their outcome.
- Smokers and those with uncontrolled diabetes have lower chances of success when receiving Tooth Implants. Your provider of Tooth Implants will know the specifics of your situation, including the necessity of maintaining good oral hygiene both during and after the procedure.