A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into the jaw to hold a replacement tooth or
bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth
or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury or some other reason.
While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework, since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support.
Dental implants are so natural looking and feeling, you may forget you ever lost a tooth. Your confidence about your teeth affects how you feel about yourself, both personally and professionally. Perhaps you hide your smile because of spaces from missing teeth. Maybe your dentures don't feel secure. Perhaps you have difficulty chewing.
If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to smile, speak and eat again with comfort and confidence, dental implants may be the answer. Dental implants are teeth that can look and feel just like your own. Under proper conditions, implants can last a lifetime. Long-term studies continue to show improving success rates for implants.
- Replace one or more teeth without affecting bordering teeth.
- Support a bridge and eliminate the need for a removable partial denture.
- Provide support for a denture, making it more secure and comfortable.
Dental implants are a better solution to the problem of missing teeth in the following aspects.
Appearance: Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. Because dental implants integrate into the structure of your bone, they prevent the bone loss and gum recession that often accompanies bridgework and dentures. No one will ever know that you have a replacement tooth.
Confidence: Dental implants will allow you to once again speak and eat with comfort and confidence. They are secure and offer freedom from the clicks and wobbles of ill-fitting dentures. No more misplaced dentures and messy pastes or glues.
Tooth-saving: Dental implants do not sacrifice the quality of your adjacent teeth like a bridge. Neighboring teeth are not altered to support the implant. More of your own teeth are left untouched, a significant long-term benefit to your oral health.
Reliable: The success rate of dental implants is highly predictable. They are considered an excellent option for tooth replacement.
The ideal candidate for a dental implant is in good general and oral health. Adequate bone in your jaw is needed to support the implant, and the best candidates have healthy gum tissues that are free of periodontal disease.
If you are missing a single tooth, one implant and a crown can replace it. A dental implant replaces
both the lost natural tooth and it's root.
If you are missing several teeth, implant-supported bridges can replace them. Dental implants will replace both your lost natural teeth and some of the roots.
If you are missing all of your teeth, an implant-supported full bridge or full denture can replace them. Dental implants will replace both your lost natural teeth and some of the roots.
As you know, your own teeth require conscientious at-home oral care and regular dental visits. Dental implants are like your own teeth and will require the same care. In order to keep your implant clean and plaque-free, brushing and flossing still apply.
Periodic follow-up visits will be scheduled to monitor your implant, teeth and gums to make sure they are healthy.
