Will dental implants rust?
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is an artificial replacement for teeth. Losing teeth due to; trauma, decay, wear, gum disease and other issues that can cause an individual to lose natural teeth is when a dental implant is considered. A dental implant will replace the root part of a patient’s tooth. Following a dental implant procedure, attaching artificial crowns, removable dentures and bridgework to the implant will make up the visible part of the tooth.
Dental implants are far more durable than other types of tooth replacements such as bridges or dentures. Not only this, but dental implants match the feeling of your natural teeth much more than other tooth replacement options.
How well does titanium work for dental implants?
The most common type of metal used in most types of orthopaedic implant surgeries today is Titanium. This includes hip, knee, shoulder and other joint replacements. That’s because titanium is durable and won’t rust. Another advantage of titanium dental implants is that it differs from the outdated use of amalgam fillings. Unlike amalgam tooth fillings, titanium doesn’t contain mercury. The FDA approves the safety of amalgam fillings, however, there are currently several groups requesting re-evaluation. This is due to a common dispute about the amount of mercury that is released into the body from these types of fillings and the impacts it can have.
Not only is titanium durable, it is one of the few substances that isn’t rejected by the human body after implantation. Titanium will eventually bond to the patient’s bone at a molecular level, by a process known as osseointegration, simply meaning the bone grows up to the implant surface. Additionally, titanium implants are not at risk of rusting because they are not affected by the exposure of the moisture that the mouth constantly produces.
Caring for titanium dental implant
Like anything, titanium implants will still require some maintenance. It should be noted that cleaning around an implant is different than cleaning natural teeth. Caring for dental implants can include; brushing twice daily with a low-abrasive dentifrice, flossing with dental tape and the use of a rubber tip, interdental brush and or water irrigation.
Finally, rusting dental implants is not something for patients to be concerned over. The use of titanium for our dental implants is precisely to avoid rusting all together.
If you have any concerns about your dental implants book a consultation with Dr Kate Amos or Dr Sam Rosehill at Ethical Dental in Coffs Harbour or Dorrigo call 6652 3185 or book online. To find out more about dental implants check out our articles Can you have a dental implant if the tooth was removed years ago? and What is better, a dental implant or a dental bridge?
