Dental implants have become an increasingly popular way to replace a lost tooth, repair a gap instead of choosing a bridge, or even as an alternative to dentures. An implant is fixed permanently in place, so the teeth look and feel like the real thing, making them an excellent solution for many patients. But what are dental implants made of that make them look and feel so natural?
The “Root”
The root of the implant is placed inside the jaw bone. It is made of titanium alloy, which is highly biocompatible. Titanium alloy isn’t harmful to the area around it once it’s placed inside the body, which is why it’s used for joint replacements, pins when fixing bone fractures, and more. Once this titanium root settles into the proper location, a process called osseointegration will begin. The jaw bone will start to grow around the titanium fixture, making it a permanent and solid part of the bone, just like a natural tooth root.
The Tooth
What are dental implants made of? The visible part of the dental implant, the replacement tooth, can be made from various dental substances. Like dental veneers, porcelain and resin products are the most popular; however, porcelain has several additional benefits over resin and other products. Porcelain dental implants resist staining and give the appearance of a more natural smile, even down to the way light reflects off of them.
All-on-4 Option
When replacing one tooth, you’ll typically need one implant. For a more significant gap, at least two implants are necessary to secure the new teeth in place properly. If you are thinking of replacing a full denture plate with an implant, you should know about the All-on-4 option. You will still remove your denture to care for it as you do your current one. However, the denture will snap back into place securely on just four implants. This is a much more convenient option for many denture-wearers, offering the nearest thing to natural teeth.
The team at Katy Cypress Oral Surgery is experienced in dental implants. If you’ve considered implants but would like to know more about their benefits and “what are dental implants made of,” call the office today at 281-667-0607 to schedule an appointment. We’d love to meet you and learn more about your dental concerns so we can address them with a personalized treatment plan.