This titanium root is placed into the jawbone to replace the root of the lost natural tooth. A restoration is then fitted onto the implant to replace the crown portion.

The Treatment of Choice
Implants are no longer experimental exotic or rare and are now the treatment of choice for an increasing number of everyday people who want the best that dentistry has to offer. They offer a permanent solution to missing teeth. For over 25 years dental implants have brought naturally beautiful smiles to patients.

Quite simply, few other tooth replacement options can provide as much stability, predictability, longevity and a healthy environment.

Today, implant procedures are as routine as basic restorative dentistry. There is a popular misconception that implant therapy is “too extreme” or “more involved” than some patients might want to endure. The fact of the matter is that in many cases, implant therapy is the most conservative way to replace missing teeth. As you can see from the illustration, one missing tooth is replaced with one implant. It stands alone as your natural tooth did, just the way nature intended.

Alternatives to implants such as a fixed bridge require grinding down of the adjacent teeth, possible root canal therapy and possible decay under the abutment crowns. In a recently published report, only 68% of fixed bridges survive ten years. Conversely, over 93% of dental implants survive over 20 years.

Other options like dentures often require unsightly clasps, or bulky plastic, which not only give one an unnatural feel, but also torque the remaining teeth and may cause periodontal problems.

One Technique, Many Options
Implants can be used to restore one tooth, multiple teeth, or an entire arch. Implants can also be utilized to stabilize loose and ill-fitting dentures.

Scroll down to see various ways dental implants can be utilized to restore missing teeth.

A missing front tooth replaced with an implant.

 
Multiple missing teeth can be replaced with a fixed bridge on implants.

 Restoration on implants can help do away with old-fashioned partial dentures.

Full dentures can be securely fastened to implants for stability and comfort.

Just a Better Solution
Just about every way you look at it, dental implants offer a better solution to the problem of missing teeth. Basically implants are:

• Aesthetic: Dental implants look and feel like your natural teeth. They prevent the bone loss and gum recession that often accompany bridgework and dentures.
  
• Tooth saving: Dental implants don’t require grinding down of adjacent teeth or produce the unnatural torque forces of bridges and dentures.
  
• Instill Confidence: Dental implants allow for solid tooth and denture placement. Annoying glues, pastes and clicking dentures are a thing of the past.
  
• Reliable: The success rate of dental implants is over 93% over 20 years.