Are Titanium Dental Implant Posts Safe?
At the simplest level, a dental implant is a surgical appliance that is placed in the gingival space present in the upper or lower jaw to support a dental prosthesis. Once the surgical site heals and the implant integrates into the bone, it acts as a replacement for the root of the lost tooth.
Dental implants actually are made up of three components: a surgical piece that enters into the bone and acts as a root, an abutment that serves as a supporting structure, and the third piece acts as a crown of the lost tooth. So, the abutment is screwed on the surgical piece of metal (mostly titanium) after the site heals over the course of the months. After this, a crown is placed on the abutment that completes the entire replacement of the lost tooth.
Titanium has been the main material dentists and patients choose to use for their dental implants posts, but are titanium dental implant posts safe? By having a full understanding of what titanium dental implant posts are, you can make an informed decision as to whether or not they are safe and the right choice for you.
Titanium Dental Implants
Titanium dental implant posts have their advantages and drawbacks. For most, titanium dental implant posts do not pose a great risk, but there are certain risks to be aware of before the procedure. The following is everything to know about implant posts, including what they are, the benefits and risks and whether or not they are safe.
Titanium is one of the most widely used materials for dental implant posts. The titanium alloy material is very durable and can be trusted to last for years without becoming broken or damaged. Titanium posts are surgically placed inside the jaw and serve as the base for an artificial tooth. After the posts are placed, an abutment and artificial tooth are then used to provide a full replacement tooth to the patient.
Benefits
Titanium is perhaps the most widely used material for dental implants posts in large part due to the numerous benefits they provide. Here are a few of the main benefits of titanium dental implant posts:
- Long-lasting material
- Resistant to damage
- Affordable option
The titanium alloy material is very strong and resistant to damage, which means you are able to chew foods without fearing damage to the implant posts. It is not unusual for titanium dental implant posts to last for twenty years or longer without needing to be repaired or replaced. Additionally, titanium posts are one of the more affordable options.
Risk of Titanium Implants
While titanium posts certainly have their advantages, there are risks to be aware of as well. Although the chance of experiencing any issues with titanium posts is minimal, there is a chance of complications following the procedure.
Here are the biggest risks associated with titanium dental implant posts:
- Titanium allergy
- Corrosion
- Galvanic toxicity
Many do not realize they have a titanium allergy before the procedure, which creates an issue in some. Also, corrosion can at times happen with titanium, although the titanium alloy material used for dental implant posts is very good at fighting any and all corrosion. Galvanic toxicity refers to a metal taste in the mouth when metals interact with the titanium from the implant posts.
Overall, titanium implant posts are completely safe for the majority of patients. While it is important to be aware of the risks and discuss them with your dentist, there is little reason to be afraid of the titanium material used in dental implant posts.