What Is Osseointegration of Dental Implants?
The osseointegration of dental implants is a key part of the healing process following dental implant surgery. A dental implant is used as a replacement tooth root for patients with missing or damaged teeth. It is a popular reconstructive procedure.
The titanium implant placed by a dentist must fuse with the jawbone to provide a stable anchor for a permanent replacement tooth. If osseointegration fails, the implant becomes unstable and unfeasible as a base for replacement teeth. That’s why proper preparation, placement, and aftercare are critical for success.
What Is Osseointegration?
Osseointegration with dental implants refers to the process in which a dental implant fuses with the jawbone after being placed by a dentist. Per-Ingvar Brånemark, the pioneer of osseointegration, originally described this process as “a direct structural and functional connection between ordered living bone and the surface of a load-carrying implant.”
During osseointegration, jaw tissue grows up and around the implant surface to provide the implant with the necessary strength and stability to function long-term as a normal tooth. Indeed, the connection at the bone-implant interface is so close that phosphate and calcium can be found in the oxide layers, suggesting that the two are integrated enough to exchange ions.
When osseointegration happens, the implant becomes attached to the bone and will be ready to support dental restorations. Without osseointegration, the implant would be unable to anchor restorations placed in the final stage of the dental implant treatment process.
How Does Osseointegration Work?
Osseointegration is a complex process that happens over four key phases:
Hemostasis
The osseointegration process starts when the dentist places the implant post in the jawbone and the body's response to bleeding—hemostasis—begins. Within minutes of insertion, some elements in the blood will stick to the surface of the implant and the blood vessels will start to heal.
Inflammation
In the hours after surgery, immune cells react to the wounds caused by the placement of the dental implant. These cells work to sanitize the wound, cleaning the wound of any bone chips, tissue debris, or bacteria that remain after surgery.
Proliferation
During this stage, starting several days after surgery, new tissue grows close to the wound. This occurs when a thin protein layer created around the wound becomes mineralized and interlocks the surfaces of the implant and the bone.
By the end of the week, bone has already become woven around the surface of the implant. This improves its stability.
Bone Remodeling
During this stage, starting several days after surgery, new tissue grows close to the wound. This occurs when a thin protein layer created around the wound becomes mineralized and interlocks the surfaces of the implant and the bone.
By the end of the week, bone has already become woven around the surface of the implant. This improves its stability.
Requisites for Successful Osseointegration
Various factors can influence the success of osseointegration. These include:
Having a healthy jawbone. Not having enough healthy jaw bone may impede the secure placement of dental implants. Your dentist should check carefully that you have sufficient bone quality and quantity before proceeding with implant treatment.
Your overall health. Being in general good health as well as maintaining excellent oral health will contribute to successful osseointegration.
Choosing a qualified professional. Always research your dentist and choose a highly qualified and respected professional to perform the procedure.
Using high-quality material. Using a high-quality, biocompatible material like titanium is essential for successful osseointegration. Zirconia is an alternative for people who are sensitive to titanium or prefer metal-free implants.
A trustworthy dentist will perform a thorough evaluation and explain how advisable it is for you to go ahead with dental implant surgery. He or she will also explain dental implant safety issues and steps you can take to promote successful osseointegration after surgery.
The History of Osseointegration in Implant Dentistry
The concept of osseointegration was observed as early as the 1940s but was first named in the 1950s by Per-Ingvar Brånemark of Sweden. The following are a few of the most notable moments in the history of osseointegration:
Prof. Brånemark coined the term “osseointegration” in 1952 when he noted that a titanium optic chamber that he had inserted into a rabbit’s lower leg bones had become inseparable from the rabbit’s bone tissue.
The first titanium dental implants were placed in a human volunteer in 1965.
At the 1983 Toronto Conference, the global scientific community accepted Brånemark’s work.
The concept of osseointegration was later applied in the medical world. Doctors use osseointegration to anchor hearing aids and in bone reconstruction surgery.
Benefits of Dental Implant Osseointegration
There are many benefits to the successful osseointegration of dental implants:
Stability and comfort. Because the bone and the surface of the implant are fused perfectly, the implant remains stable and feels comfortable. The implant should feel as comfortable as a natural tooth.
Prevention of bone loss. When people lose teeth and their jawbone lacks natural tooth roots, their jawbone can shrink over time. Implants simulate the presence of a natural tooth root and stimulate the jawbone. This helps to prevent bone loss.
Long-lasting results. With correct placement and proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime.
Improved quality of life. Professionally placed dental implants improve patients’ quality of life by providing extra confidence when eating, speaking, and smiling.
Strength and functionality. Implants are connected directly to the jawbone, making them superior to other tooth replacement options. When the bone becomes fused to the titanium implant, the replacement tooth can have the functionality and strength of a natural tooth.
The successful completion of the osseointegration process relies on accurate and careful placement. That's why it's important to research your dentist carefully and choose a trustworthy professional with excellent credentials.
How to Support the Osseointegration Process
Successful completion of the osseointegration process is essential for viable dental implant treatment. The healing process can take anywhere from six weeks to six months depending on where the implant is placed and how healthy your jawbone is.
Many dentists and their patients prefer to place temporary teeth while your mouth heals to preserve the appearance of your smile. These temporary teeth can be replaced with custom-made crowns once the bone-to-implant fusion is complete.
This fusion should happen naturally during the healing process if you have generally good oral health. However, failing to follow your dentist's instructions diligently can interfere with the process. Therefore, it's critically important to follow all of the post-surgery care instructions your dentist gives you.
After implant surgery in our Bakersfield, CA office, we counsel our patients to:
Take prescribed antibiotics as directed
Avoid cigarettes for a few weeks (or however long your dentist advises) before surgery and during the entire healing process
Avoid consuming alcohol for 72 hours before and after implant surgery
Avoid brushing the region of the implant for at least one week after surgery
After that, brush and floss regularly and thoroughly with a soft-bristled brush to prevent infections and decay
Go to all follow-up appointments and continue with regular check-ups
Osseointegration Is Key to Implant Success
Dental implants provide a solution for many different dental problems that may affect your quality of life. If you are suffering from missing or damaged teeth, dental implants placed by a trusted dentist can prevent further problems and restore your smile.
Before going ahead with implant surgery, check with your dentist whether your jawbone is strong enough to support the implants (with or without a bone graft) and follow all pre- and postoperative care instructions. With expert placement and diligent care, you should enjoy strong, successful implants that can potentially last a lifetime.