|  | Dental Health | Orthodontics

About Wear & Corrosion on Dental Implants

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that a periodontist or oral surgeon can install. According to the Consumer Guide to Dentistry, proper oral care and regular check-ups will help prevent corrosion and wear that can shorten the life of a prosthetic tooth.

  1. Identification

    • According to the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, a small-diameter hole is drilled in the bone in the space of the missing tooth, and a titanium screw is placed in the hole. Within three to six weeks, the titanium screw will anchor to the jaw bone, and the artificial tooth is installed. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons reports the overall success rate of dental implants is 95 percent.

    Significance

    • Corrosion is the dissolution and wearing away of metal produced by electromagnetic phenomenon and can lead to complications such as toxic reactions or the the failure of the implant. According to Indian Journal Of Dental Research, corrosion can also substantially decrease the lifespan of the implant, even if it does not initially fail.

    Special Considerations

    • Fracture or breakage of the titanium screw is rare but can also be caused by the wear associated with galvanic--particularly accelerated--corrosion. According to the International Journal of Electrochemical Science, excessive use of fluoride may promote wear and corrosion. While there is no foolproof way an individual can eliminate corrosion of a dental implant, with proper oral care and regular check-ups, she can help to prevent it.

Orthodontics - Related Articles