Dental Implants

A dental implant is a replacement for a missing tooth root which is surgically anchored to the jawbone, creating a stable base to hold an artificial tooth or bridge in place. Implants have gained wider acceptance and are now a popular solution to replace missing teeth. The benefit of using implants is that they don't rely on neighboring teeth for support, they are permanent and stable, and they look and feel like natural teeth. The most common type of implant, a root-form implant, is a screw or post made of titanium or bone-like ceramic material which is embedded into the jawbone. The healing period is between three and six months, during which time the bone grows in and around the implant creating a very strong support. After the implant has "taken" and healing is sufficient, a natural-looking crown is placed on the implant.

Implants can also be used to act as an anchor for loose dentures when the amount of jaw bone is insufficient.

Implants have a very high success rate and can last a lifetime.