Dental Implants Introduction

Dental implants are changing the way people live. Implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth which look, feel and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost their teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence knowing that their new teeth now appear natural and that facial contours may be preserved.

It is important for individuals who are missing one or more teeth to consider getting dental implants. Leaving gaps in the teeth will, over time, result in medical problems on top of the obvious cosmetic diminishment of ones appearance. Missing teeth may cause a person to neglect certain aspects of a healthy diet. Several missing teeth create the equivalent of a vacuum in the side of the mouth, or behind the lips, causing the skin to draw inward, prematurely wrinkle, and collapse over time. Worse than all of these negatives, however, is the deterioration of bone mass in the jaws. Without the presence of a tooth root, or a dental implant, the jaw bone structure will gradually atrophy, or shrink. This atrophy can result in a permanent, irretrievable bone loss if left for many years.

What are dental implants?

The implants themselves are small titanium posts, which are inserted into the jawbone where teeth are missing. These titanium anchors act as tooth root substitutes. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. Small connection posts (abutments) are then attached to the implant to provide stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth. With dental implants people are rediscovering the comfort and confidence to eat, speak, laugh, and enjoy life!