Dental
Implants
If
you are missing one or more teeth and would like to
restore your ability to smile, speak, and eat with comfort
and confidence, dental implants may be right for
you.
Perhaps
your dentures don't fit as securely or comfortably as they
once did. Perhaps you hide your smile because of spaces
from missing teeth. Or, perhaps you have loose teeth that
need to be stabilized after treatment of advanced gum disease.
If
any of these situations keep you from feeling good about
yourself and your smile, dental implants may be a solution
for you. Technological advancements in dental materials
and techniques have improved the success rate of implants,
enabling many patients to enjoy comfort and confidence in
their oral health.
|
|
 What
are dental implants?
Dental
implants are artificial substitutes for natural tooth
roots. The implants—small anchors shaped like
screws, cylinders, or blades—are placed into the
jawbone. Replacement teeth are attached to the part
of the implant that projects through the gums.
What
do dental implants do?
Dental implants can provide
non-removable tooth replacements in the toothless jaw.
What
are the advantages of dental implants?
Dental
implants can support replacement teeth in much the same
way as tooth roots support natural teeth. Dental implants
provide an alternative to a denture that wobbles, clicks,
or causes pain. Dental implants also can prevent embarrassment
about spaces from missing teeth. Instead, you can smile
and speak with confidence and enjoy your favorite foods
again.
What
are the disadvantages?
A dental implant requires a greater financial investment
than a removable bridge or conventional denture. On
the other hand, an implant can offer advantages in terms
of comfort and appearance—benefits many patients find
well worth the cost.
|
