A dental implant is an artificial tooth.  The actual implant is a small metallic cylinder that substitutes for the natural tooth root.  Inserted surgically into the jawbone, it provides a stable base upon which a cap, bridge or denture can be anchored.  But unlike dentures, dental implants may be fixed, feeling and acting more like your own natural teeth.

Illustration comparing a natural tooth (left) and a dental implant (right)

What is the advantage of an implant?  People who have lost one, several or all of their teeth may be candidates for an implant procedure, eliminating the need for partial dentures, removable dentures or fixed bridges.  Dental implants allow your artificial teeth, dentures or bridge to be firmly attached to them, creating stability and security for you.  Many people with dental implants say they feel as if they still have their natural teeth.  Implants can also provide improved speaking and chewing ability, elimination of pain and, in some cases, enhanced appearance.

How are implants better than conventional dentures? Conventional dentures can often fit poorly.  This is because once natural teeth are gone, the jawbone begins to shrink and change in configuration.  This can result in discomfort, pain, impaired chewing and difficulty in speaking.  Dental implants overcome these challenges by permanently securing your dentures in place so they perform exactly like your real teeth.  With implants in place, your jawbone is less susceptible to change because the implants make it seem like your real teeth are still there.

Denture with Implants

Denture without implants

Are dental implants for me? Chances are, you are a candidate for implants.  To find out for sure, however, you will need to make a consultation appointment so your teeth and mouth can be examined and your condition evaluated.  As part of the evaluation process, different types of x-rays will be require in order to ascertain bone quality and quantity.

How successful are dental implants? Dental implants are designed to be permanent.  There are numerous factors related to long term success.  Implants fail for the same reason your own teeth have failed:  bone and gum breakdown, lack of proper daily care and hygiene, not maintaining regularly scheduled professional check-ups, accidents or a newly occurring medical condition that affects the tissues of your mouth.

Initial healing is a key factor contributing to long term success of your implant.  It is a well established fact that smoking, before or after implant placement, will cause lowered success rates and/or failures.  Excessive pressure and/or grinding of your teeth can also cause problems with the bone bonding with the implant and should be avoided.

Dental implant reconstruction is one of the most successful procedures in the medical/dental implant fields such as knee, hip, etc. with long term clinical results in excess of 92-93%.

Does age make a difference? Age is not the most important factor related to dental implant reconstruction.  Overall health and quality of life issues are of concern.  In the early 1940’s and 50’s, implants were originally designed for the aging patient with total tooth loss.  In recent years, implants have been carried out with high success rates for teenagers with sports injuries or congenitally missing teeth.  This is also true of patients up to and including people in their nineties.  Your age, in and of itself, is not a major factor as to whether or not you may be an implant candidate.