Dental Implants

The Dental Implant Solution
Today, we have a well-researched solution that prevents the loss of bone and allows for highly retentive permanent restorations. This solution is known as a dental implant, an artificial tooth root see figure 3, that actually replaces your tooth root in the bone. The dental implant is placed in the area where the extraction occurred and is held in place by bone just like the roots of the original tooth. see figure 4

One of the major benefits of having implants placed following extractions is that the placement of implants reduces or eliminates the loss of bone.

This means that most of the original bone will be maintained. In other words, placement of dental implants virtually solves the problems of bone loss.

Once the dental implants heal to the surrounding bone, a post is placed into each implant and in the simplest terms, a crown, bridge or denture is attached to the implants. Unlike traditional dentures, dentures attached to dental implants are highly retentive.

So how does it work? Your doctor will carefully evaluate your specific situation and if appropriate, one or more implants will be placed where teeth have been removed. This is the first step in preventing bone loss. Once the dental implants are in place, the bone will gradually attach to the implants and create a very strong bond, just like the roots of your natural teeth. Once the bond has been established, your doctor will restore the implants so that your dentures, bridges or crowns are attached to the implants and they will likely look and feel like natural teeth. Dental implants with their dentures, bridges or crowns are cleaned like your natural teeth and will be maintained by your dental office through regular visits and proper dental hygiene.