Dental Implants

Dental implants have become the gold standard for tooth replacement since being introduced to dentistry in the early 1980s due to how versatile and predictable they are. Dental implants are made of titanium, one of the most bio-compatible materials on the market, which means even if you have a metal allergy you are still likely to be an excellent candidate for implants.

The implant is designed to function as the root of a tooth, meaning it is surgically placed entirely in the jaw bone to mimic the root of a natural tooth. The top portion of the implant can be a single tooth, a part of a bridge helping to replace multiple teeth, or a component designed to support a denture or partial denture.

Why Dental Implants?

  • No detriment to adjacent teeth – prior to the introduction of implants to dentistry, when a tooth is missing, the two neighboring teeth on either side of the missing tooth would have to be prepared to be the supporting or abutment teeth for a bridge to be placed. If these teeth were “virgin” teeth, meaning they did not already have crowns or restorations on them, the teeth would still need to be prepped for the bridge.
  • Looks and functions like natural teeth – individual implants mimic a natural tooth better than any other option in dentistry. Unlike bridges, partials, or dentures, the strength of biting forces on implants is often equal to or stronger than a natural tooth, thereby allowing you to eat and function with very minimal restrictions.
  • Predictable and long-lasting – Dental implants are incredibly durable and have a success rate of up to 95%. With proper dental hygiene, your implant can last you a lifetime. In contrast, a bridge will need to be replaced every five to 15 years, depending on how well you care for it. Dentures need to be replaced every five to eight years due to bone loss in your jaw changing the fit of the denture over time.
  • Prevention of bone loss – when you lose teeth, you also tend to lose bone mass in your jaw. Your jawbone needs the stimulation from the presence of teeth, otherwise it starts to atrophy and resorb, leading to changes in bone density, which can in turn cause facial muscles to collapse, thereby aging the face. Dental implants essentially “tricks” your jaw bone into thinking teeth are still present and are the only tooth replacement option that also replaces that jaw bone stimulation, helping to prevent bone loss.

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