Dental implants are one of the most common ways to replace missing teeth and restore a person’s smile. Dental implants will look and function just like natural teeth, and with the right maintenance can last for decades.
In some cases, dental implants may be used to replace a tooth that’s been recently extracted - sometimes these procedures can occur on the same day. The tooth is extracted, and the implant is immediately placed. In these cases, the issue of biocompatibility may come up.
Here’s everything you need to know about it:
Biocompatibility means a certain material will not cause harm to living tissue, usually in the context of a surgical implant. Essentially, a material is considered biocompatible when it can be implanted into the human body without fear that it can release toxins or otherwise damage the living tissue surrounding it.
This is important because otherwise, it would mean an implanted object could lead to major complications and health issues down the line.
Yes, dental implants are biocompatible. An implant is made up of three elements:
The implant post has the role of the tooth’s root, meaning it’s the only one that gets implanted into the jaw. The abutment is placed on top to connect the post to the dental crown, the visible part of the dental implant.
Implant posts are made from materials that will not cause any harm to the body, such as titanium and zirconia. Because of this, dental implants can be safely used to restore a person’s teeth for decades.
Implant rejection can happen, but not the way you think. Many people believe implant rejection occurs when the body perceives the implant as “a foreign object”, just like in the case of organ transplants.
But, because dental implants are made from metal, they do not have any organic materials that could make the body perceive them as foreign objects. In fact, dental implants are the most adaptable and durable type of tooth replacement, with a success rate estimated at around 98%.
The cases where the human body rejects a dental implant are:
However, you should know the likelihood of implant rejection is extremely rare. Prior to being cleared for surgery, you will need to go through a very thorough assessment of your dental and medical health, which is designed to reduce the risk of implant failure even further.
If you are wondering if dental implants are right for you, your dental implants dentist, Dr. Nicole Vane will discuss with you.
To get started, book an appointment at Moonlight Beach Dental online.
For more information, call us at (760) 632-0320 today.
