Single tooth implant

Dental Implants were invented over 50 years ago when scientists discovered that human bone would adhere and attach to titanium screws implanted in the jaw. Dental Implant technology has evolved significantly since that time, and now Dental Implants are considered the treatment of choice for people who have lost one or several teeth due to periodontal disease, accident or decay. Most importantly, Dental Implants look, feel and function just like your own natural teeth.

Did you know: nearly 50% of the population of the US is missing at least one tooth?

Single tooth implant

Dental implants are small screws designed to replace the root of a tooth and restore the physical appearance and the chewing function of patients with partial or full tooth loss. Dental implants are intended for use in either the upper and/or the lower jaw to support prosthetic devices, such as artificial teeth.

To replace a single tooth, a titanium Dental Implant is first inserted into the missing space. This implant serves as a replacement for the root of the missing tooth and is designed to seamlessly bond with the surrounding bone. A small post is then inserted into the implant and the replacement tooth is permanently fixed to this post. The result is a new tooth that looks perfect and functions exactly like a natural tooth.

Single tooth implant

Prior to Dental Implant technology, patients with missing teeth had limited options. The most common solution was called a "Fixed Bridge" in which the surrounding teeth were ground down to accept crowns to hold the replacement tooth steady. This solution has several drawbacks including:

• Adjacent, healthy teeth are used as anchors for the new tooth, requiring them to be unnecessarily ground down and crowned.
• A fixed bridge does not replace the root of the tooth; it is only a surface-level device. As a result, the jaw bone (where the root of the tooth was previously located) can begin to dissolve; causing pain, issues with surrounding teeth and unfavorable external appearance changes ("caving in" around the missing roots).

Dental Implants address these issues and provide significant benefits beyond these legacy treatments:

• Surrounding healthy teeth are not impacted by the placement of the dental implant, leaving more natural teeth fully intact. Individual implants also allow easier access between teeth, significantly improving oral hygiene.
• The titanium screw placed in the jaw acts as a replacement for the tooth root and actually bonds with the existing bone, keeping the natural bone structure of your face and jaw intact.
• Dental implants are extremely durable and with good care can last a lifetime.
• Dental implants look and perform more like natural teeth.

Traditional tooth-supported bridge

Dental implants are also an excellent option for patients missing multiple teeth and provide even more benefits in this situation.

Similar to legacy single-tooth replacement methods, fixed bridges have often been used to replace missing teeth in the past. As noted above, fixed bridges require the support and coincided compromise of adjacent, healthy teeth. Additionally, they do not address the issue of the missing root and do not aid in preventing bone deterioration and loss. Plus, most bridges only last 5-7 years, while dental implants can last a lifetime.

Another traditional approach to treating multiple missing teeth is the usage of partial dentures. These are appliances made of metal and plastic that clip to adjacent healthy teeth to fill the gaps of multiple missing teeth. These appliances are considered to be much more cosmetic than truly functional teeth, and they come with a significant set of drawbacks:

• Partial dentures are typically somewhat unstable, causing patients to be extremely self-conscious about them at all times.
• Partial dentures can have a significant impact on the function of your teeth – potentially impacting your diet, your self-esteem and even your speech.
• Similar to bridges, partial dentures do not address the issue of bone deterioration.

Dental Implants are the premier solution to replace multiple missing teeth

Dental Implants provide a solid, life-long solution to your missing teeth without the drawbacks of tooth-supported bridges or partial dentures. They will not slip, fall-out or impact your surrounding healthy teeth. Dental Implants look, feel and function just like your own natural teeth – giving you back your self-confidence and your life.

Almost anyone who is missing one or more teeth is a candidate for Dental Implants. The ideal implant patient is in good oral and general health and has adequate bone mass in their jaw to support the implant. In most cases, the entire procedure can be completed in just a few visits.