Exploring 3 Huge Advancements in Dental Implant Technology

In the world of dentistry, new technology is constantly evolving from the needs of dentists and their patients. Dental implants in particular have seen a wealth of new advances that continue to make the process faster and more reliable.

Continue reading to explore three new technologies that are making a huge impact on the treatment and learn out how they can help you gain the smile of your dreams.

1. Cone Beam Scanner

These powerful pieces of technology are the latest in X-ray capabilities. Not only does it look like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it also delivers impressive results.

After you are placed in the scanner seat, the cone-shaped beam is projected from a rotating arm. This low-radiation beam takes a series of pictures at different layers in your face. The machine then composites these images in the computer, creating a full scan of your skull.

This scan includes bone, gum tissue, nerves, and other structures in your face. Dentists can use cone beam scans to get a highly accurate picture of the inside of your mouth so they can plan out your implant treatment.

Not all dentists have a cone beam scanning machine, but those who do offer a significantly increased success rate compared to those who don’t.

2. Titanium Implant Posts

While ancient people had been performing dental implants for centuries, the first modern implants were performed in the 1930s. These were done with posts made from chromium-cobalt alloy—a type of stainless steel.

Titanium offers several benefits over stainless steel as an implant material:

• Titanium weighs approximately 50 percent less than stainless steel.
• Posts made with titanium are more resilient to stress.
• Titanium is more biocompatible. This means fewer complications and complete bone integration.
• The metal has a lower modulus of elasticity compared to stainless steel. In other words, titanium is less rigid which reduces stress on bone structures.

Since the advent of titanium posts, the success rate of dental implants has risen dramatically. Fewer people see their implants fail due to issues of infection or fracture in their jaw.

3. CEREC Restorations

CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic. Essentially, this amazing technology allows your dentist to craft dental implant crowns in-office.

The machine looks almost like a large printer, or a water jet machine used for cutting metal. A block of ceramic is inserted into the machine, and a scanned image is used by the shaping program to carve the crown from the ceramic block to exact specifications.

Ordinarily, a dentist would have to send an impression of your teeth to a dental lab to be made over the course of a week. During that time, you’d be fitted with a temporary crown. In the traditional process, there is also a possibility that your new fabricated crown doesn’t fit properly. The use of a CEREC machine eliminates all these issues.

Dentists who utilize new technologies will nearly always perform treatments better than those who don’t. When you’re about to invest in a dental implant, it’s important to ensure that your treatment will be done right the first time and is made to last.

About the Author

Dr. Steven Kendrick, a seasoned dentist from Indianola, Oklahoma, holds a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Oklahoma University College of Dentistry. His dedication to dental excellence led him to expand his expertise through the Misch International Implant Institute. Dr. Kendrick has a multi-discipline career encompassing education, clinic service, and recognition in Oklahoma Magazine’s 40 under 40. To schedule an implant consultation at Midwest City Dental Center, call (405) 732-0431 or visit the website for more information.