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During the last 30 years the use of dental implants has changed
dentistry beyond recognition. Implants are no longer considered
experimental and it is equally rare to come across situations
where they cannot be used at all.


Today there is another option for patients who are missing permanent teeth.
Rather than resting on the gum line like removable dentures, or using adjacent teeth as anchors like fixed bridges, dental implants are long-term replacements that your oral and maxillofacial surgeon surgically places in the jawbone. Composed of titanium metal that “fuses” with the jawbone through a process called “osseointegration,” dental implants never slip or make embarrassing noises that advertise the fact that
you have “false teeth,” and never decay like teeth anchoring fixed bridges.
Because dental implants fuse with the jawbone, bone loss is generally not a problem.

 
 
After more than 20 years of service, the vast majority of dental implants first placed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the United States continue to still function at peak performance. More importantly, the recipients of those early dental implants are still satisfied they made the right choice. If properly cared for, dental implants can last a lifetime.

A dental implant designed to replace a single tooth is composed of three parts: the titanium implant that fuses with the jawbone; the abutment, which fits over the portion of the implant that protrudes from the gum line; and the crown, which is created by a
prosthodontist or restorative dentist and fitted onto the abutment for a natural appearance.

Many people who are missing a single tooth opt for a fixed bridge; but a bridge may require the cutting down of healthy, adjacent teeth that may or may not need to be restored in the future. Then there is the additional cost of possibly having to replace the bridge once, twice or more over the course of a lifetime. Similarly, a removable partial denture may contribute to the loss of adjacent teeth. Studies show that within five to seven years there is a failure rate of up to 30% in teeth located next to a fixed bridge or removable partial denture.
 
 
  Dental Implant Benefits :  
 
• reduce the need to cut down adjacent teeth for bridges
• help preserve remaining natural bone structure
• support face shape and smile
• eliminate the need for removable partials and dentures – and the sores that may go along with them
• convenience and no need to worry about denture adhesives or having dentures slip, click or fall out when speaking
• reduce the need for the roof of the mouth to be covered by removable partial or complete dentures
• look, feel self-esteem and work just like natural teeth
• provide confidence when eating, speaking and smiling