What is Osseointegration?
Following the placement of dental implants at our Mason implant dentistry, your body will naturally react with a process called osseointegration. Derived from the Greek and Latin terms for “bone” and “to make whole”, osseointegration is the process that allows dental implants to become a permanent part of your jaw.
While osseointegration is most commonly associated with dental implant procedures, the process is the same that your body would experience when recovering from a bone fracture. It plays an important role in other reconstructive procedures such as joint replacements and facial reconstructions.
Osseointegration and Dental Implants
Dental implants are artificial replacements for missing teeth. A natural tooth comprises a crown and root, while an implant consists of a biocompatible implant, porcelain crown and abutment (the connecting device between the crown and the implant).
The titanium implant is inserted directly into the bone. There are a number of microscopic holes on the surface of dental implants which help them integrate into the jaw. These miniscule holes provide osteoblasts and connective tissue the ability to secure the implant into the bone. Since the connective tissue connects directly with the implant, the risk of it falling out or becoming loose is eliminated.
The osseointegration process typically lasts between three and six months. Once the process is complete, the abutment and dental crown are affixed, completing the dental implant process.
If you live in Cincinnati, Dayton or Mason and would like to learn how our implant dentistry can improve the look and functionality of your smile, contact Hardin Advanced Dentistry today online or at (513) 398-4448 to schedule an appointment. In addition to our Ohio community, we welcome patients from Southeast Indiana and Northern Kentucky.
