FAQ # 1: Is the Concept of Dental Implants in Scottsdale a New One?
Dental Implants in Scottsdale, Answer: Actually, no! While modern dental implant technology has been in use since the 1980’s, the concept behind using some kind of hard and aesthetic material to replace missing teeth is one that dates back to the time of the ancient civilizations. Roman soldiers have been unearthed with iron implants in their jawbone and Egyptian mummies have been found with replacement teeth fashioned from all sorts of materials, including sea shell, ivory, bone and gold. In the Middle East, ivory was the popular material for dental implants, while Pre-Columbian skeletal remains bear artificial teeth crafted from semi-precious stones. While these dental implants were crude to say the least, they certainly offered a substantial aesthetic value and, to some degree, a functional one too!
FAQ # 2: What are Modern Dental Implants in Scottsdale made of?
Dental Implants in Scottsdale, Answer: We’ve come a long way since the days when ivory, sea shell, bone, semi-precious stones and gold were the materials from which rudimentary replacement teeth were fashioned. Modern dental implants in Scottsdale are fabricated from bio-compatible materials that most closely resemble – in functionality and appearance – real teeth. Dental implants in Scottsdale consist of three components:
- A titanium screw or fixture: fits into a predrilled socket in the jaw bone,
- An abutment or collar: used to secure the artificial crown in place, and
- A ceramic tooth crown: the only component visible above the gum line.
FAQ # 3: What Affects the Long-term Success of Dental Implants in Scottsdale?
Dental Implants in Scottsdale, Answer: There are many factors that control and affect the long-term success of dental implants:
- The amount of bone volume present at the site/s of the missing tooth or teeth and the quality of this bone. Teeth are frequently lost as a result of chronic and acute oral bacterial infections. Left untreated, conditions such as gingivitis and periodontitis, or gum disease, not only cause tooth loss, but they can deteriorate the underlying jaw bone tissue. People who have lost teeth and have not had them replaced, or have opted for inferior tooth replacement technologies such as dental bridges and dentures, also tend to present with a lack of bone volume in the jaw. And this is caused by atrophy of the hard tissue. These kinds of health problems can compromise the success of dental implants in Scottsdale.
- The experience and capability of the implant dentist plays an important role in the success of dental implants in Scottsdale. As with any kind of surgery, experience is incredibly important and enables the dentist to treat the entire spectrum of case complexities and effectively handle unplanned complications.
- The quality of the restorations (crown or bridge) placed on top of dental implants in Scottsdale also plays a substantial role in determining long-term success. Poorly designed and constructed crowns or over-dentures and an unbalanced bite will compromise the lifespan of dental implants in Scottsdale, which should lie in the region of 20 to 30 years!
- Poor post-procedural care, such as neglecting oral hygiene or habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption will also affect the long term success of dental implants in Scottsdale, just as they affect the health and longevity of natural teeth.
Dental Implants in Scottsdale: Stay Tuned for More FAQs!
To read the answers to more of your frequently asked questions, stay tuned for the second installment of this four-part article series on dental implants in Scottsdale.
