While dental implants are popular, most folks don’t know much about them. People usually just learn their surface details – that they’re metal posts, they fuse with your jaw, etc. Still, you should grasp the lesser-known facts about dental implants if you want to get treatment. Your Houston will even help out by sharing a few with you right now. To that end, here are four somewhat surprising facts about dental implants!
Implants’ History Spans Centuries
Since they look so modern now, it’s easy to think dental implants have only been around a few decades. However, these posts have a history that goes back hundreds – even thousands – of years.
It was actually the ancient Mayans who first developed “true” dental implants. Between 600 and 800 AD, they realized seashells and stones could become permanent jaw fixtures. This discovery led the Mayans to hammer such materials into the gums of men and women. That way, their people could have artificial teeth at the cost of great pain.
Implants Have a High Success Rate
Though dental implants are placed through surgery, they aren’t a “shot in the dark.” The posts have a very high success rate over time.
Indeed, today’s dental implants almost always succeed. That’s partly because implant surgery is often done with computerized assistance. On the other hand, each implant post uses titanium that practically guarantees successful fusion. There’s also the advanced knowledge and resources modern dentists have.
Implants Preserve Your Jaw
In a way, dental implants don’t just restore your smile. They also restore and preserve a patient’s jaw and face.
It comes down to how implant posts work. When they fuse with your jaw, they stimulate your jawbone through the force of chewing. This stimulation preserves the surrounding bone tissue and even promotes its growth. The long-term results of these effects are a jaw and face that feel firmer and look younger.
Implants are Easy to Maintain
Though the point isn’t discussed much, dental implants are much easier to maintain than dentures or dental bridges. Users don’t have to do as much to keep these prosthetics working.
Again, the reason relates to how implant posts operate. Rather than sit over your gums, these metal posts actually fuse with your jaw. Such fusion makes the implants very stable, so you won’t need adhesives or creams to keep them secure. You can just brush, floss, and rinse your new “teeth” as you would the older ones; they’ll then stay safe.
If you’re curious, you can always discover other lesser-known facts about dental implants. Just talk to your dental provider to learn more!
About the Practice
Smiles of Memorial is based in Houston, TX. Led by Dr. Viet Tran, our practice makes each patient’s smile its number one priority. That means we offer preventive, cosmetic, and even restorative dentistry, with treatment always tailored to your grin’s needs. Our team also places dental implants in-house to ensure the best results possible. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (281)-493-0061.