A dental implant is a surgical fixture that is placed into the jawbone and allowed to fuse with the bone over the span of a few months. The dental implant acts as a replacement for the root of a missing tooth. In turn, this "artificial tooth root" serves to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Having a dental implant fused to the jawbone is the closest thing to mimicking a natural tooth because it stands on its own without affecting the nearby teeth and has great stability. The process of fusion between the dental implant and jawbone is called "osseointegration." Most dental implants are made of titanium, which allows them to integrate with bone without being recognized as a foreign object in our body. Dental Implants have advanced over the last 20 years with technology and science have progressed to greatly improve the outcomes of dental implant placement. Today, the success rate for dental implants is close to 98%. 

 

Implants are dentistry's most innovative techniques for the replacement of missing teeth. From a health standpoint having a missing tooth or missing teeth can affect the form and function of the mouth. Secondly from a cosmetic perspective, it can cause self-consciousness and insecurity. When a tooth is missing, the teeth around it will biologically start to drift to close the gap. This could lead to problems with your bite and muscular/jaw issues. The teeth that start to drift or shift could become loose which consequently may fall out. So now one tooth missing could lead to many missing teeth!

 

Implants do not decay, and individual implants do not rely on adjacent teeth to support a crown or bridge. This method of tooth or teeth replacement is the closest to replacing natural teeth that dentistry has to offer.  Teeth naturally apply stress to the bone. The bone around teeth needs stimulation in order to keep its density and form. This stress biologically causes the bone to regenerate. If this stress on the bone no longer exists due to a tooth missing, it causes the bone to eventually wear down and degenerate. This deterioration of bone can cause issues such as sinus problems, additional teeth falling out, and the risk of gum disease!