Rather than resting on the gum tissue like removable dentures, or using near by teeth as anchors for fixed bridges, dental implants are long-term replacements that your doctor places in your jaw bone.

Did you know that 69% of adults ages 35 to 44 have lost a minimum of 1 permanent tooth due to gum disease or an accident?  Furthermore, by age 74, 26% of adults have zero permanent teeth remaining!

Technology has evolved to the point where these patients have alternative treatments outside of dentures or fixed bridges.  Dentures and fixed bridges tend to have problems associated with them as time goes on.  Dentures can become loose and make embarrassing clicking sounds when people talk or eat.  They can also lead to bone loss.  Fixed bridges can affect the adjacent teeth that are healthy.  This does not mean that a denture or a fixed bridge is not a good option.  They are both very good and appropriate options.  However, the research and science has clearly shown dental implants to be a much better long-term treatment for the patient. 

Dental implants are long-term replacements that your doctor surgically places in the jawbone.  These dental implants are composed of titanium metal that “fuses” with the jawbone through a process called “osseointegration”. These implants never slip or make embarrassing noises that show the world that you have “false teeth,” and because they are made of titanium, you do not have to worry about decay like you see with fixed bridges.  Also, given the fact that the titanium is surgically inserted into your jawbone you will typically not have an issue with bone loss. 

Dental implants have been around for a while now.  Doctors have been placing them for over 20 years and the best part is that most of the implants that were placed in the late 80’s and early 90’s are still operating at peak performance.  If properly cared for, dental implants can last a lifetime.