When a patient has a serious problem with a tooth, we do our utmost to save it. If we cannot, then one of the options to consider is an implant. Made of surgical grade titanium, it is placed directly in the jaw, where the bone fuses to it for strength.
Dental implants can be an option for people who are non-smokers with healthy gums and are willing to commit to regular visits to the dental hygienist at 4-month intervals.
An implant can replace a single missing tooth, sparing the patient of the need to have healthy adjacent teeth shaped for crowns when a bridge is needed, or if the lost tooth is a molar at the end of the arch of the jaw, an implant can reinstate chewing efficiency. Another excellent use of dental implants is to stabilize dentures, especially in cases where there are no teeth to hold the denture in place.