Problem #1: A Full Arch of Missing Teeth Dentures do have their place, and there are some people who manage fine with them. But there are many others who struggle with them daily, often to the point that the life they once knew has been changed significantly to accommodate the dentures. For those who are tired of dentures that do not seem to fit well for very long (because bone keeps receding), speaking and laughing with confidence has become a thing of the past, favorite foods are only a memory, or life has become an endless ordeal of "sore" spots, dental implants may be the solution for which you have dreamed.
Problem #2: One or a Few Missing Teeth If you have just one, or a few missing teeth, the decision to compromise the surrounding intact teeth (so they can become the needed anchors for a bridge or partial) probably bothers you. And it should. You may also be concerned about the loss of jaw bone where the tooth is missing. When the bone is not stimulated by the forces naturally being placed on it by the root of the tooth, the bone starts deteriorating. You understand that over time, this can cause the surrounding teeth to collapse toward the gap, as well as enable gum problems. There was a time when there was no better choice available to you. Now there is a good, tested, and proven solution - dental implants.
A Good Solution for Both: Ideal for missing teeth, dental implants are the closest approximation to natural teeth available. They are constructed to imitate a natural tooth as much as possible, being anchored in the jaw with a "post" which functions similar to the root of a tooth. (This post is what gives the dental implant its inherent stability, as well as the ability to stimulate the "foundation" bone.) After the post has had time for the bone to heal and become solid around it, the restoration is attached. There are several different types of restorations available, depending on the individual's needs and desires (click for more information):
Single Tooth Replacement
Multiple Tooth Replacements
Full Arch Tooth Replacements
