Dental Implants Information

At one time dentures were a common alternative to having multiple missing teeth. Fixed bridges and partial dentures were also used in many situations.

Now we have dental implants as an option. Dental implants are usually made of titanium, which is a very strong biocompatible material. The implant replaces the part of the tooth we call the root and is imbedded in the jaw bone during a painless, minor surgical procedure. Many times, following the placement of a dental implant, a period of healing is necessary for bone to grow around the implant to stabilize it so it can support other structures.

When dental implants are placed, they require daily care to keep them clean and the surrounding tissue healthy, thus ensuring they last a long time.

An implant can serve as foundation for a crown (to replace a missing tooth), or to support a fixed bridge. An implant can also be used to secure complete or partial dentures.

The science and art of placing dental implants has progressed to the point that in many cases it is possible to mimic natural teeth so closely that it can be impossible to detect except by a dentist.