Restorations Dental Implants | Crowns & Bridges | Silver Fillings Composite Fillings | Inlays & Onlays Dental Implants The Problem: A missing tooth or teeth Potential bite and jaw joint problems from teeth shifting to fill the space The “sunken face” look associated with missing teeth Desire to improve chewing ability Desire for a more permanent solution than dentures The Solution: A dental implant is an appliance used to replace the roots of teeth. A dental implant is a small cylinder surgically implanted in the jawbone which is designed to work like a natural tooth root. The Dental Implant acts as an anchor, somewhat like a natural tooth root. Implants can be used to anchor, somewhat like a natural tooth root. Implants can be used to anchor a single tooth, one or both ends of a bridge, or a full denture. Implants are made of titanium alloy metal. Titanium is a material which is compatible with natural bone. The implant is surgically attached to the jaw bone and an artificial tooth is attached to the top of the implant, creating a natural looking, undetectable replacement for the missing tooth. In the event that more than one tooth is missing, several implants may provide a base for a series of artificial teeth known as a fixed bridge. Implants can even be used to secure a full set of removable dentures for people who have no remaining teeth. This can greatly improve chewing ability and reduce the risk of choking. It generally takes about six months for the surgical implants to heal before the final installation of the artificial tooth or teeth can be finished. Implants are based on sound science. They have withstood the test of time, and the procedure has been continually refined and improved since they were first invented in 1952. A titanium post will be placed into the bone to support a single replacement tooth, or a frame for several, beneath your gum. The post will become biologically fused to your jawbone. The replacement tooth will then be secured to this implanted post, leaving you with a natural looking and fully functional smile. Advantages: Dental implants with artificial teeth are the closest thing to regrowing your natural teeth. They are strong, stable, durable and virtually undetectable. By filling gaps left by missing teeth, implants can provide better chewing ability and head off jaw joint problems. They are far superior to removable dentures. Implants have many advantages over dentures, bridges, and other prostheses. Implants will: Replace teeth missing since birth or lost to periodontal disease, infection, trauma, or decay. Replace single or multiple teeth. Become a permanent part of the mouth, integrated with the surrounding bone. Not slip, move, or irritate gum tissue, unlike dentures. Provide patients a secure and stable fit. Restore up to 90% of chewing power lost with missing teeth. Minimize jawbone degeneration from missing teeth. Improve the quality of life for a significant majority of patients. Give patients more confidence when speaking and chewing. Disadvantages: Dental implants are excellent, state-of-the-art restorations and have few disadvantages when compared to alternatives such as dentures. However, dental implants do require surgery and time to heal, and they are initially more expensive than dentures or fixed bridges. These disadvantages are offset by the ease of use, saved time and long term health benefits of implants. © Copyright 2007 Steven Hutt All Rights Reserved.