Dental Implants

Dental implants are an increasingly popular means of replacing missing, decayed or damaged teeth. According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, more than a half million people are choosing to undergo dental implant surgery every year — perhaps due to the impressively high overall success rate of about 95 percent. Patients who choose implants achieve an esthetically pleasing result that mimics the look and function of a real tooth.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are titanium rods that serve as a prosthetic replacement for a natural tooth root. The old tooth is removed, and the implant is placed inside the supporting bone where the natural tooth was once rooted. Most dental implant procedures are performed under sedation, local anesthetic, or general anesthesia depending on the duration of the procedure. After several months, patients return to have permanent crowns attached along the surface of the gum. These crowns are custom-matched to each patient’s smile according to tooth size, shape and color.

Many patients prefer dental implants because they are easier to care for than dentures and are a more permanent solution than bridges. Furthermore, dental implants function nearly identically to natural teeth, allowing many patients to continue enjoying their favorite foods without limitations.

In order to qualify for dental implants, you must have a sufficient amount of bone to support the artificial root. In cases where the bone is atrophied or deteriorated, grafting procedures may prove successful for establishing enough bone to support dental implants. To find out more about dental implants and whether they could benefit your smile, visit our practice for a consultation.