Dental implants are nothing else than artificial roots – titanium screws. But, how do they keep tight in the bone? Mechanically, such as nails, screws or dowels, or like our natural teeth?
Primary, mechanical stability
Shortly after placing the implants, and a few weeks after the insertion, dental implant stability inside the bone is purely mechanical. The implants are threaded, implant ledge is prepared according to the hardness of the bone so that the implants are installed by a certain force.
Naturally, after implant insertion, the reaction occurs in the surrounding bone, decreasing mechanical stability already after two weeks from placing the implants.
But, roughly at the same time with the loss of mechanical stability, biological stability rises up.
Secondary, biological stability
Biological stability rises up thanks to the biocompatibility of titanium and dental implant rough surface. “Rough” surface of the implant is an adjective – decades of intensive research and experimenting are hidden behind of which, all in order to obtain the implant surface that will optimally interact with the bone. Great progress in improving the design and implant surface has been made recently. The aim is in realizing the best possible ingrowth of vital bone cells in the microstructure of the dental implant’s surface, as soon as possible. What we mean is the osseointegration – intergrowing of dental implants with the bone.
Tertiary stability
Tertiary stability happens after loads on dental implants and their full functional integration. That means, after the dental crowns/bridges or partial denture was placed properly on implants and when subjected to chewing forces.