Implants
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw bone to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Adequate bone in your jaw is necessary to support a dental implant. The best implant candidates have healthy gum tissues that are free of periodontal disease. The dental implant can then support a crown, bridge, denture, facial prosthesis or they can function as an orthodontic anchor.
Dental implants are not always suitable, but they can produce a good cosmetic result.
Endosteal implants are the most common type of dental implant. Typically an artificial screw is surgically placed into the jawbone, and integrates with the natural body tissues. After sufficient time has passed for the implant to integrate, a crown or other prosthesis can be placed ontop of it. Each implant can hold one or more false teeth.
Subperiosteal implants are placed on top of the jaw bone. A metal framework anchors onto the jaw bone and a metal post protrudes through the gum to hold the prosthesis. These types of implants are used for patients who are unable to wear conventional dentures and have insufficient jaw bone for Endosteal Implants.
Applications for Dental Implants can include:
- Replacing a Single Tooth - One implant and a crown on top.
- Replacing Several Teeth - Multiple implants and crowns, or a bridge supported by implants.
- Replacing All of Your Teeth - Implants to support a full bridge or full denture.
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