Here are some facts about missing teeth you should know: the average American has lost 12 teeth by age 50; 69% of American adults are missing at least one tooth by ages 35 to 44; and one in five adults have lost all of their teeth by ages 65 and older. The market and need for dental implants is thereby vast and potent, and ANSI/ADA 173-2019: Designation System For Dental Implants specifies the designation method for the location of a dental implant.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a small post, usually made of titanium, that serves as a substitute for the root of a missing tooth and provides support for artificial teeth like crowns, bridges, or dentures. Before modern implants, Ancient Egyptians (2500 BCE) used ligature wire made of gold, Etruscans (500 BCE) used oxen bones, and Mayans (600 AD) used shells as implants for replacements for teeth. The modern dental implant process has evolved from these ancient practices and involves placing or building an abutment (connector) into the top of the dental implant, connecting it to the artificial tooth. The dental implant typically is surgically implanted into the jawbone. This makes implants extremely strong, having generally 80 to 90% of the strength of a natural tooth. Sometimes, however, the implant does not get fused into the patient’s jawbone.
What Are the 3 Types of Dental Implants?
- Endosteal: is the most common type of dental implant and is suited for patients who have a healthy jawbone for the post to fuse into.
- Subperiosteal: is the main alternative to endosteal implants and rests on top of a patient’s jawbone but still under their gum.
- Zygomatic: is the least common type of dental implant, largely because it is the most complicated procedure, and is placed in the patient’s cheekbone rather than jawbone.
The last step to complete the dental implant procedure involves custom fabricating the artificial replacement tooth to match a patient’s natural teeth. The overall objective of this medical process is to restore a person’s ability to chew, comfort, speech, oral health, and/or appearance.
What is ANSI/ADA 173-2019?
ANSI/ADA 173-2019 provides a system for designating the location of an implant body within a jaw. This American National Standard does not indicate whether the device is visible within the oral cavity, the presence of transmucosal components, or implant restorations. The method of designating location in ANSI/ADA 173-2019 is intended for use with the scheme described in ISO 3950: Designation System for Teeth and Oral Cavity.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants last an average of 25 years. Regular brushing, flossing, and check-ups helps he implant screw last longer, and, in some cases, it can last a lifetime, assuming the patient receives regular dental check-ups every 6 months. However, the crown lasts between 5 to 15 years before needing to be replaced or repaired.
ANSI/ADA 173-2019: Designation System For Dental Implants is available on the ANSI Webstore.
