Perhaps you are reluctant to smile because of spaces from missing teeth. Perhaps your dentures don't feel secure or natural, or maybe you have difficulty chewing food.

If you are missing one or more tooth and have a desire to smile, speak and eat confidently and with comfort, dental implants may be for you!

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that the doctor can put into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. If you are in good general oral health and have lost a tooth or teeth due to gum disease, injury, or some other reason, dental implants are likely an excellent option for you to consider. Dental implants are extremely natural looking and natural feeling.

What dental implants can do:

• Replace one or more tooth without affecting bordering teeth
• Support a bridge and eliminate need for removable partial denture
• Support a denture, making it more secure and comfortable

Types of implants
Endosteal (in the bone): This is the most commonly used type of implant and includes screws, cylinders or blades surgically placed into the jawbone. Each implant holds one or more prosthetic tooth. This type of implant is often used as an alternative to bridges or removable dentures.

Subperiosteal (on the bone): This type is placed on the jaw with the metal framework's posts coming through the gum to hold the prosthesis in place. These types are used for patients who are unable to use dentures and who have small bone height.

Advantages of dental implants over dentures or bridge

• Aesthetic: Dental implants look and feel completely real and lifelike. Dental implants integrate into the structure of your bone, preventing bone loss and gum recession that often accompanies bridgework and dentures.
• Tooth-saving: Dental implants don't harm your bordering teeth like a bridge does which is essential to your long-term oral health. This is because bordering teeth are not changed to support the implant.
• Confidence: Dental implants allow you to smile, speak and eat with comfort and confidence. No more of the many disadvantages of dentures such as clicks and wobbles!
• Reliable: With proper maintenance, dental implants can last a lifetime! Long-term studies continue to show improving success rates for implants.