An implant is a metallic object inserted into the jaw bone of a person to function as an anchor for artificial teeth such as crowns and dentures. It is necessary for the implant not only to sit safely within the bone but also provide a stable long-lasting platform to support the prosthesis constructed over it.

Until the present system of implants was discovered, any metal inserted into the body would be treated by the body tissues as “foreign”. Once the initial reaction subsides it is walled off by a layer of fibrous tissue as a protective mechanism. Eventually the foreign body would either lie inert or migrate to the surface and in some cases would be extruded. That meant that no foreign substance could be inserted into the body and expected to act as a functional part of the biological mechanism. This natural biological response of the body prevented scientists from designing successful bone based load bearing implants.

Branemark was a scientist who discovered the amazing properties of titanium as a biomaterial in the 1950′s. He found out by a “happy accident’ that titanium did not function like most other metals when inserted into bone. Unlike the familiar walling off by fibrous tissue that occurs as a foreign body reaction; titanium somehow integrated with the bony tissues and seemed acceptable to the body. He named this new and amazing process – Osteointegration.

Osteointegration is defined as a process that creates direct bone to implant contact even under load bearing forces, without the intervention of a fibrous tissue barrier. The direct contact of bone to implant can be verified microscopically. When osteointegration occurs the implant is bonded tightly to the underlying bone and becomes one with it. Why the body favors titanium over metals is still a mystery.

Today dental iplantology is a very sophisticated science. Dental implants when placed properly in carefully selected patients by skilled dental surgeons carries a 95% success rate. Once osteointegration takes place around the implant system it can be expected to remain as an integral part of the person’s body for life. No untoward chemical or other side reactions have been reported with these systems. All failures are due to the fact that osteointegration did not take place. There are many reasons for this unfortunate event, but most often it is because the person has a smoking habit or has uncontrolled diabetes or other systemic problems that compromise their bone quality.

In general, dental implants have been placed successfully giving life-long service and satisfaction to many many patients.