Dental implants have developed exponentially over the last 100 years. Gone are the days of using gold and iron to support tooth repairs. Today titanium implants are widely used; however, these are likely to be surpassed by even more modern materials. Bulky and awkwardly shaped implants will also become a thing of the past. 3-D printing has the ability to create implants to pinpoint accuracy.
What Is a Dental Implant?
They are surgical fixtures that get connected to the jaw bone. They are the supports that allow a dentist to attach a dental prosthesis such as a crown, bridge, or even an entire fake tooth. Dental implants in DC are made of materials that can fuse to the jawbone. The dentist places them in an area below the gum line. They are then given time to bond with a section of bone. This bonding process is called “osseointegration.” Time must then be allocated for healing. Once this is achieved, the prosthesis can be mounted.
Better Than Titanium!
Titanium is a durable material that has been used by dentists for decades. However, it does have some drawbacks. It is impacted by corrosion and oxidation. This means it will become damaged over time. The solution is to use zirconia for Washington DC dental implants. Zirconia is a ceramic material that does not experience any corrosion or oxidation. Some dental practices have already begun using it.
3-D Printing
Creating dental implants can be extremely challenging. Each individual mouth has a different shape and structure. Making the correctly shaped implants is complicated and often involves guesswork. 3-D printing is already used in dentistry; however, not for dental implants. Many scientists and dentists believe it can be applied with excellent results. It would allow for laser-like precision in their creation. This would eliminate many dangers during the insertion process.