About Dental Implants
Before the development of dental implants, fixed and removable dentures were the only alternatives to replacing a missing tooth or teeth. Implants are synthetic structures that are placed in the area of the tooth normally occupied by the root. Implants are anchored to the jawbone or metal framework on the bone and act as a foundation for an artificial tooth or permanent bridge. In some cases, implants can be used to attach dentures.
Not everyone is a candidate for a dental implant. For a successful implant to take hold, a candidate must have proper bone density and have a strong immune system.
Implants are so well-designed, they mimic the look and feel of natural teeth. Implants are usually made of titanium.
In general, good candidates who have dental implants can expect high success rates with the procedure.
The procedure can take several visits. During the first visit, an anchor which looks very similar to a large “screw” is placed into the jawbone and the site is allowed to heal for several weeks or months. This gives your tissue time to grow around the anchor to more firmly hold it in place.
During a follow-up visit, once the bone has solidified with the implant anchor, an abutment is placed over the anchor. Finally an artificial, natural-looking tooth is fitted over the abutment.
Various types of implants include full upper and lower, anterior, posterior, and single-tooth.