An introduction to implants
The basics of dental implant treatment are simple. First, a titanium screw is placed into the jawbone at the site of the missing tooth to act as the “root” for your new tooth. Then, a special connector known as an abutment is used to affix the false tooth (called a crown or prosthesis) firmly in place.
Fully functional and long-lasting
There are many advantages to choosing dental implant treatment over a dental bridge when looking to fill a gap in your smile, including:
- Dental implants may last longer, potentially for the rest of your life
- Your new tooth will look, feel and function just like your natural teeth
- Implants are easy to clean and maintain–simply brush and floss like normal
- Implants do not damage adjacent healthy teeth
The procedure
A typical implant placement that does not require any bone grafting or other jaw preparation involves three steps:
- Surgically installing a titanium screw into the jawbone under the gap created by the missing tooth. The implant can be installed immediately after the extraction of a damaged tooth or into a space that has existed for some time, as long as the underlying bone structure is sufficient.
- Once the implant has integrated into the jawbone, the post (abutment) used to attach the crown is inserted into place.
- Finally, the crown is attached to the abutment for permanent placement.
Dental implant success rates exceed 95%
Implants are one of the most reliably successful oral surgeries. For patients identified as good candidates to receive dental implants, most studies indicate a success rate greater than 95%.
Who is a candidate for dental implants?
To be a good candidate for implants, a patient should have:
- A healthy jawbone and gums
- Sufficient bone volume and density
- A clean bill of oral health
To find out if implants are right for you, schedule an appointment with your dentist or oral surgeon.