Dental Implants

Dental implant surgery is a procedure that replaces tooth roots with metal, screw-like posts and replaces damaged or missing teeth with artificial teeth that look and function much like real ones. Dental implant surgery can OFFER a welcome alternative to dentures or bridgework that doesn't fit well.

How dental implant surgery is performed depends on the type of implant and the condition of your jawbone. But all dental implant surgery occurs in stages and may involve several procedures. The major benefit of implants is solid support for your new teeth - a process that requires the bone to heal tightly around the implant.

Dental implants are surgically placed in your jawbone, where they serve as the roots of missing teeth. Because the titanium in the implants fuses with your jawbone, the implants won't slip, make noise or cause bone damage the way fixed bridgework or dentures might. And the materials can't decay like your own teeth that support regular bridgework can.

In general, dental implants may be right for you if you:

• Have one or more missing teeth
• Have a jawbone thats reached full growth
• Have adequate bone to secure the implants or are able to have a bone graft
• Have healthy oral tissues
• Don't have health conditions that will affect bone healing
• Are unable or unwilling to wear dentures
• Assess how much fluoride you're getting through your diet and use of oral hygiene products
• Want to improve your speech