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Posted on 11/1/2017 by Dr. Franco |
There are a lot of different concerns that our patients have when they come in for their dental implants. This can be because of a variety of reasons, from horror stories on the internet to general worry and insecurities about something new. We hear a lot of questions and stories about what people think can go wrong. Here at BiteLock, we are led by Dr. Pedro Franco, who has years of experience providing implants and restorative care to people just like you. We can help to ease any concerns you may have about your upcoming procedure. What is a Dental Implant?Dental implants are a great tool for restoring the mouth to its peak health after a tooth has been extracted or is for whatever reason missing. This procedure involves the surgical insertion of a titanium post into the socket the missing tooth left behind. This piece fuses with your jawbone, making it a solid “root” for the false tooth that can be cemented or screwed onto the implant. This stimulates the jaw as you chew and provides a permanent solution. It keeps your other teeth safe from decay and shifting, both risks associated with leaving a gap untreated. Is Titanium Corrosive?Titanium and titanium alloy implants, which have been widely used for over 40 years, are metal. These are biocompatible metals which fuse well with the bone. However, as time passes, reports grow concerning implant failures or general instability due to allergic reactions (which exist in approximately 4% of our population). Our implants have an oxide layer over their surface. This means that they are very resistant to corrosion. This does not mean that they are immune to corrosive attack. If the oxide layer were to break down, the metal could become corrosive over time. This means that it slowly degrades and the implant loses its integrity and strength and may get rejected from the mouth entirely. Implants without oxide layers are susceptible to wet corrosion and electrochemical corrosion. The bacterium in your mouth combined with saliva and temperature changes along with other variables can all lead to the breakdown of that oxide layer and further corrosion of the piece. These problems can also cause inflammation in your mouth around the implant as well as the gums and bones themselves. It is important to note, that if you are concerned about the eventual degradation of your implant, there are non-metal options available which do not carry the same risks, however minimal they may be. If you are looking to get an implant or already have a titanium one and want more information about the possible corrosion risks, be sure to call us at BiteLock today to see what Dr. Pedro Franco can do for you to ease your worry or fear. We have years of experience under our belts making us very capable and understanding of any potential issues that may arise over time. For a consultation or examination to prepare for an implant or to check the one you already have, call today! |
IRVING LOCATION
2727 NORTH O'CONNOR RD
(972) 594-7414IRVING, TX 75062 REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT IRVING MESQUITE LOCATION
2101 N. BELTLINE RD, SUITE B
(972) 270-6617MESQUITE, TX 75150 REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT MESQUITE ENNIS LOCATION
2200 W. ENNIS BLVD, SUITE B
(972) 875-7616ENNIS, TX 75119 REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT ENNIS |