Ask an Implant Surgeon from Plano, TX: What can my Dental Implants Withstand?

Ask an Implant Surgeon from Plano, TX: What can my Dental Implants Withstand?

Someone asked me after I mentioned the process of crematoriums recycling dental implants for scrap if they exploded in the incinerator. After I told them no, it got me to thinking. Titanium was a choice metal not just because it was safe enough for our bodies. It was also because it is a strong metal. It is the metal of choice for Sia when describing herself as a 'bulletproof" person. Just how strong is this stuff? What temperature can melt it? Can it absorb radiation? Does the presence of electricity make it a conductor? So, we are going to cover an exhaustive list of what sort of things a dental implant can or cannot withstand in extreme circumstances.

Basic Properties of Titanium

Titanium is a metal alloy that seems to be a combination of contradictions. For example, it has high tensile strength, meaning that it can withstand a pressure of 630,000 PSI. That is higher than most metals, even tungsten. And it is far much more pressure than the average human bite at 162 PSI. But for all the pressure it can withstand, the metal itself is brittle in its natural state and it is only half as hard as a diamond. So its a combination of tough and lightweight.

It also has an interesting reaction when combined with bone. When a bone is exposed to titanium, they naturally fuse. This fusion is a result of the titanium literally penetrate the microscopic holes in the porous bone. So, not only does this make it a viable candidate for dental implants because it can withstand bite pressure, it literally sticks to your mouth, making it the reason that it is the main metal to use for dental implants for over 50 years.

But is it susceptible to things like water, heat, acids, or electricity?

Chemical Reactions with Titanium

First things first, chemical reaction. Titanium is the 6th most abundant metal in the world and is found in all sorts of environments, meaning that it most likely can withstand all kinds of chemical elements. That means that it is resistant to corrosive substances and will take a much longer time to dissolve with more liquids and acids. This gives the average dental implant a shelf life of 30 years.

It does not react to water, most acids, or any bases. It can react to halogens, and hydrochloric acid, but only when they are heated. At that point, it would be a deadly situation regardless of whether it could cause a chemical reaction or not.

So, if you get a titanium dental implant in Plano, TX there is no major chemical reaction to worry about. At least unless allergies are involved. But that is a biological reaction to the implant and not about the nature of the implant itself.

Is Titanium Heat and Air Proof?

If it is warm enough to cremate a body and still remain afterward, then chances are it is very VERY heatproof. It is so heatproof, that it can withstand the temperatures of lit jet engine fuel. Especially in a combination of both nickel and zirconium. According to companies that make tubing out of the material, titanium can withstand 600 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes sense because its melting point is 3,034.4 degrees F! Also, it takes almost double that to get it to boil at all.

As far as air is concerned, again, it is resistant to corrosion, meaning it is not going to rust or wear down as quickly as iron or any other related metals.

Titanium, Dental Implants, and Electricity

The only thing that can possibly cause an issue to your implants, and make things worse for your body is the presence of electrical charge. All things metal have an electric charge, whether it is on a large scale or a very small one. Titanium is a metal alloy, so it would stand to reason that it would be susceptible to electric charge.

According to a discovery after North Korea launched a nuclear EMP bomb near Hawaii, soldiers noticed that people with electrical devices and implants had less electrical resistance than the average organic body. "An implanted person would experience a brief jolt at the implant site from the high voltage. Heart pacemakers and hearing aids – devices with electronics – would pose a more severe problem, especially if they are life-critical."

Solving Problems One Step at a Time

So, what do we do?

Dental implant surgeons in Plano, TX and around the world have already gotten to work. They have a goal to both negate the risk of electric shock and increase the chances of implants osseointegrating earlier. "With the growing popularity of treatments like early implant loading, it is imperative to consider the effects of electrical signals on the early stages of osseointegration as well as on long-term outcome."

So, ultimately your implants can go through a lot. This is most likely why the person who discovered the metal back in the 1700s named it after the strongest creatures in Greek Mythology. That makes your implants stronger than bone. But whether you have one or not, it is still important to take care of your oral health.

If you want to know more about dental implants in Plano, Texas visit us at https://www.jungimplantplano.com/.