Dental implants may look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Manufacturing implants in dental laboratories requires advanced technology and follows stringent quality standards to encourage durability, biocompatibility, and patient safety. Here is an overview of the laboratory manufacturing process of dental implants.
Initial Design and Planning
The process begins with design, during which dentists take impressions and digital scans of the patient’s mouth for dental laboratories. A combination of these methods helps create a precise model of the implant site. These models help design a custom implant that fits into the patient’s jawbone and aligns with the existing teeth. Advanced 3-D modeling and simulation software compiles and optimizes implant design before production.
Material Selection
Dental implant material comprises titanium, which has excellent biocompatibility and strength as its main advantages. Titanium is a reliable material because it can fuse directly into the bone tissue for stronger support of the implant. In some fabrication instances, the chosen material is zirconia, a strong ceramic that closely resembles a natural tooth. This material is helpful in circumstances involving metal sensitivities or if a patient favors a more natural look.
Precision Machining
Manufacturing occurs after design and material finalization. State-of-the-art computer-controlled equipment cuts barring titanium rods to length and further machines them into the desired shape and size. These devices can perform their complex tasks with high accuracy, given the specifications an implant needs for a perfect fit.
Surface Treatment
After completing the machining process, there are a variety of potential surface treatment options for better integration and biocompatibility. One type is a sandblast treatment by bombarding the implant surface with abrasive particles, giving the surface a rough texture. This means priming more surface area for attachment and growth of bone cells, which increases the implant’s stability.
Quality Control and Testing
Laboratory technicians work on the quality control of every manufactured implant for its safety and performance. Implants then undergo assessments, such as a mechanical test for durability, a microscopic examination of the surface treatment, and biocompatibility. Biocompatibility tests confirm that the implant materials will not elicit any adverse reactions upon being implanted in the patient’s mouth.
Sterilization
Once the implant has passed all control tests, it undergoes cleaning and sterilization against possible contaminants. Sterilization normally involves autoclaves that kill bacteria by steam under high pressure, as well as viruses and other micro-organisms. Sanitary packing containers maintain the cleanliness of the sterilized implants until you can use them during dental procedures.
Customized Prosthetics
Prosthetics can also be custom-made into crowns, bridges, or dentures that can slip onto the implant. These are frequently ceramic or porcelain and colored, shaped, and polished to match the patient’s remaining teeth. Digital scans will help dental technicians form these prosthetics so they fit the patient well.
Final Inspection and Packaging
The final step before sending the implants and prosthetics to dental clinics is an inspection verifying that specifications are met. Every implant comes with detailed documentation concerning the manufacturing process, material used, and sterilization procedures. Having detailed specifications makes it easier to confirm traceability and accountability for a high degree of patient safety and care.
Get Implants from Qualified Dental Laboratories
Laboratory production of a dental implant involves sophisticated technologies that render the implant reliable and biocompatible. While the process is extensive, it is done with care so that the product yields optimal results for the patient. Get your implants from qualified dental laboratories that emphasize the technological development and expertise behind dental implants.
