Osseointegration
Charleston, WV
 Rebuilding missing teeth using dental implants is a process we can perform because of your natural healing ability known as osseointegration. Your body is designed to make this treatment work. We simply use what your body can already do to successfully replace teeth. At Revive Dental and Implant Center, we can help you have a full set of healthy teeth, even when your natural teeth have failed. We would love to discuss the placement of dental implants with you, evaluate candidacy, and create a treatment plan specific to your needs.
How Does Osseointegration Work?
The successful placement of dental implants relies on a healing process known as osseointegration. This term refers to your bone integrating, or fusing, with the surgically implanted device. Once fully healed, the implanted device and bone are one firm unit. In dentistry, we use this process for the rebuilding and replacing of missing teeth.
Historical Evidence of Osseointegration
The discovery of bone healing, through osseointegration, began with scientists studying the bones of ancient people. What they discovered was two fold. First, that ancient people attempted surgical bone repairs, and secondly that the bone attempted to grow around the devices that they used to repair. It was the discovery that our bones were witnessed to attempt healing, growing around these primitive attempts that baffled early scientists. Many of the materials used in these skeletal remains were inappropriate for the body, such as shell, bamboo, wood, and stone. So, scientists began to question how appropriate materials would fare. They began testing with materials that were biocompatible and decreased the likelihood of infection developing. Following decades of research, titanium and now ceramic were found to be the best option.
Dental Implants and Osseointegration
Today, we use your natural ability to heal through the growth of new bone and its willingness to grow around devices to make repairs, such as rebuilding tooth roots. Using a device known as a dental implant, we can restore the root and then attach a dental prosthetic such as a dental crown, dental bridge, or denture.
A dental implant is a device that is made from either titanium or ceramic and can serve as a new tooth root, sometimes referred to as a post or anchor. It is designed with a threaded end that is sunk into the jawbone. The threads of the device are designed to create a lot of surface area for the bone material. As the bone heals, it grows around the threads bonding the newly implanted root and bone firmly together. This healing process is known as osseointegration.
Once we have identified that osseointegration has occurred, we can then use the device as a firm anchor in your mouth to attach a prosthetic device. Depending on the work being done, you may require multiple implanted anchors. Dental implant treatment is a customized treatment with multiple options. We are happy to further discuss osseointegration and implant treatment in more detail with your specific situation in mind. For more information, contact our Charleston office at (304) 467-4265.
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