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Dental Implants a Healthy Choice Dental Implants are becoming a mainstream way to replace missing teeth. Most people don’t realize that this technology was discovered by a scientist who had a lucky accident; very similar to the way penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming. In 1952, Professor Per-Ingvar Branemark placed titanium scopes into living bone as part of a research study to observe the healing of bone. At the end of the experiment, much to his irritation, he discovered that the titanium coated microscopes were impossible to retrieve. The titanium had somehow bonded irreversibly to living bone. Dr. Branemark subsequently showed that titanium could be structurally integrated into living bone with a very high degree of predictability. Branemark named this phenomenon osseointegration, the underlying principle which all dental implants are based. The first clinical application of osseointegration was the implantation of titanium implants into the jaw of a patient without teeth in 1965. More than thirty years later, the non-removable teeth attached to these dental implants are still functioning. People with missing teeth often have problems chewing certain foods such as fresh vegetables and fruits, which can compromise their nutrition. Wearing dentures can affect a person’s ability to taste foods. In addition chewing with an ill-fitting denture can be difficult and painful so digestion is often compromised. Because dental implants function more like teeth, these offer the benefit of better health due to improved nutrition and taste, as well as proper digestion. Implants are a very popular choice for replacement of a single tooth or multiple missing teeth. Implants can also be used to anchor a denture in place for the upper as well as the lower jaw. Anyone in reasonably good health who wants to replace missing teeth may be a candidate for the placement of dental implants. The most important consideration is the health and thickness of the jaw bones. To ensure the best possible outcome, a prospective implant patient should be screened by a qualified dentist who will use special x-rays and models of the mouth to assess the jaw bones and outline the blueprint for their final results. No wonder dental implants have become the standard of care for tooth replacement. They provide better health, enhanced appearance, greater self-confidence and improved quality of life. Submitted by Dr. David Wolf; Dr. Wolf maintains a private practice with an emphasis in general, cosmetic and implant dentistry for adults in Milford, MA
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