Dental implants are devices that replace missing teeth. The installation of a dental implant is designed to take the place of the natural root of a tooth. Here are a few things about the design of a dental implant that allows it to be the most natural tooth replacement option:

The metal rod or screw that is implanted is made of titanium.

The implant is a rod or screw that is made of titanium metal. During its installation, the implant is placed inside the jawbone. Due to its titanium construction, the implant is not likely to cause a negative response from the patient's immune system. This is important because an immunological response could cause the patient's body to reject the dental implant as a foreign object.

Titanium is bio-compatible, so it is likely to be accepted by the patient's body as though it was the patient's own organic material.

The implant actually connects to the patient's jawbone.

The root of a natural tooth is kept firmly in position by the patient's jawbone. Since the roots of a tooth actually develop within the bone, they are well connected and secure.

A dental implant is inserted into the bone, but it does not remain a separate component from the jawbone. Instead, during the first few months after the implant's placement, the jawbone connects to the dental implant through a fusing process that is called osseointegration. Generally, it is preferred that osseointegration be complete before the implant is capped with a dental crown or used as a support for other teeth replacement devices.

The dental implant can last a lifetime.

Like a natural tooth, a dental implant is considered permanent. Unless a traumatic event occurs to dislodge the implant from the bone, the implant will not need to be replaced.

The dental implant offers stimulation for the jawbone.

Due to its positioning inside the jawbone, the dental implant can provide stimulation that results in the production of new bone cells like a natural tooth. The consistent development of new cells helps prevent the density of the jawbone from waning. This can help other teeth that lie in the same palate to remain in place, since a reduction in jawbone density can lessen the bone's ability to firmly hold the teeth in their sockets.

To learn more reasons that a dental implant is a great option for tooth replacement, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your area.