The Difference Between Dental Implants II.

In the previous installment of this series, I talked about the structural makeup of dental implants, and how they are different from each other. With the internet being full of advertising tricks and misleading marketing campaigns, it is sometimes difficult to know which dental implant is the best one to go with. This is why I have talked about the different surfaces, diameters and materials that dental implants can have/be made of in the previous article. In this one, I intend to continue speaking of certain key structural points that differentiate dental implants from each other.

Threading

Threading refers to the grooves on any sort of object made for screwing into other objects. Screws have threading, it is the lines on the side that make it lock into the objects they are screwed into. As dental implants work on the same principles that screws work with, it is no surprise that dental implants also have threading, and, as always, there are different kinds of threading. Your standard single thread can be used for stable jaw bones with plenty of bone material, and for back teeth. Double threads are used for front teeth or for patients who have low bone density in their jaws.

An alternative to threaded implants is what is referred to as stepped dental implants, or dental implants that have a triangular or square surface that jabs into the one and stabilizes the dental implant. These types of dental implants are now considered obsolete, but certain medical conditions may make the use of stepped implants more desirable. If the bone density in the top of the jaw is low but the bottom of the jawbone may still be unaffected, and has sufficient bone density, than a stepped implant may be just the right thing.

Materials

The last aspect of a dental implant that I would like to mention is the materials used to manufacture the dental implant. Usually, the dental implants are made of titanium alloys, as titanium is hard, can withstand and absorb shocks and torque, but is also lightweight and will not stress the jaw unduly. Titanium alloys are also hypoallergenic, and can thus be used by absolutely everyone. The alloy also has the added benefit of integrating into the jawbone, and the body’s immune system does not attack the dental implant as a foreign object. All dental implants are made of these alloys, and there is no difference between different dental implants in this regard.

I hope this clarifies some of the questions that confuses customers, and dispels the myths that clever media gurus and marketing managers have manufactured to mislead the unsuspecting populace.

 

 

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