A dental implant is a "root" device, usually made of titanium, used in dentistry to support restorations that resemble a tooth or group of teeth to replace missing teeth.
Virtually all dental implants placed today are root-form endosseous implants, i.e., they appear similar to an actual tooth root and are placed within the bone. The bone of the jaw accepts and osseointegrates with the titanium post. Osseointegration refers to the fusion of the implant surface with the surrounding bone. Dental implants will fuse with bone, however they lack the periodontal ligament, so they will feel slightly different than natural teeth during chewing.
Dental implants can be used to support a number of dental prostheses, including crowns, implant-supported bridges or dentures.
After the loss of a tooth there is nothing in the bone to stimulate it so it begins to disappear (atrophy). Since your facial bone supports the skin and muscles on top of it, losing volume can cause your face to look prematurely aged. Dental implants avoid this process.
Benefits:
- Dental implants transmit chewing forces to the jaw, which will halt bone loss. Conventional treatment options do not offer this important benefit
- Unlike conventional bridge replacement, implants to not require the grinding down of healthy teeth for abutments
- Whether you are missing one tooth or all your teeth, there is likely to be a implant treatment for you.
