Dental implants are artificial tooth roots inserted directly into your jawbone to provide support for a porcelain crown. This procedure is fast becoming most popular for replacing missing teeth because of its distinct advantages over other forms of tooth replacement.
To provide a permanent solution for missing teeth, dental implants need to be made of nearly indestructible material. Today, implant dentists use high-strength titanium for all implants.
Why Titanium?
Titanium is a nontoxic metal that is 40% lighter than steel and 60% stronger than aluminum. Titanium is fracture resistant and provides superior strength. Best of all, in 97% of implant placements, the titanium implant is readily accepted by your jaw in a process known as osseointegration.
The process for placing a dental implant is relatively short, but osseointegration can take up to six months. During this time, your dental implant is becoming a part of your jaw without damaging the surrounding soft tissue. Full healing is necessary to ensure your dental implant stays permanently anchored to support the porcelain replacement for your missing tooth.
Once the bone has healed, a titanium post is attached to the dental implant and your Virginia cosmetic dentist restores it with a custom-made porcelain crown. This crown is colored and shaped to exactly match your natural teeth and, if cared for properly, can provide a seamless smile for a lifetime.
If you have questions about dental implants and live in Northern Virginia, please contact the implant dentists at Galleria Dental Aesthetics to schedule a consultation today.