Dental implants are essentially permanent, attached teeth that replace partials, bridges or dentures. A dental implant is a “root” device used for restorations that resemble a tooth or group of teeth to replace missing teeth.
This tooth root replacement option helps improve:
- tooth appearance
- speech
- comfort
- ability to eat
- self-esteem
- oral health
During this procedure a titanium implant is permanently attached to the bone, and a prosthetic tooth (crown) is attached to the implant. Implants are preferred to bridges, because they can improve the dental bite without damaging neighboring teeth.
Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, and because they are designed to fuse with bone, they become permanent. While this might sound frightening, it is actually much more convenient and comfortable than removable dentures that can fit poorly and slide around inside the mouth.
Not only will the patient’s smile be greatly improved, but so will the overall face. Bone reabsorption occurs with the loss of teeth. When many, or all, of the teeth are missing, the lower one-third of the face collapses. With the placement of implants, the bone is preserved and the facial structure remains intact.
Treatment is typically finished in three to five visits over the space of about four to 12 months. Dental implants have a 98 percent success rate and can last a lifetime with proper oral habits.