DENTAL IMPLANTS

If you are missing one or more of your natural teeth, you may benefit from dental implants. Implants are simply described as "artificial roots" that are made of titanium and placed in the jawbone. When the implant comes into direct contact with living bone tissue, the two literally grow together to form a permanent biological adhesion termed "osseointegration." The implant can then be used to build a single tooth crown; support a bridge for multiple missing teeth; or utilized to stabilize a denture. Implant technology was first developed by orthopedic surgeons who have utilized implants to repair and replace diseased joints (e.g. hips and knees) for over 50 years. Implants have been utilized in dentistry for over 30 years, although the technology has evolved dramatically over that time to maximize the predictability of this science. Today, dental implants have become the standard-of-care for replacing missing teeth.