Dental Implants

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a small titanium screw that serves as the replacement for the root portion of a missing natural tooth. Due to the biocompatible properties of titanium, a dental implant fuses with the bone and becomes a sturdy anchor for the replacement tooth. Dental implants can be used to replace multiple missing teeth or just one.

When a tooth is missing, the biting force of the jaw pushes on the teeth surrounding the area, causing them to shift. As the bite changes, it can become more difficult to chew and damage may occur to the jaw joint. Shifted teeth can make preventative care more difficult as harmful plaque and tartar collect in the new hard-to-reach places, causing tooth decay and periodontal disease. Without the root structure of a natural tooth present, the jawbone can shrink and opposing teeth may begin to extrude out of the socket potentially leading to eventual loss of said teeth.

Benefits of implants

An implant almost identical to a natural tooth, fitting securely in the jaw in a that is indistinguishable in their ability to aid in chewing and speaking. When implants are placed, it is unnecessary to alter the structure of adjacent teeth which maintains their integrity and strength. In addition, implants replace the roots of a missing tooth, aiding in bone loss reduction which occurs naturally when a tooth is missing.

Course of Treatment