A missing tooth or several missing teeth can cause a variety of dental problems. Gaps between teeth can affect the aesthetics of one’s smile and cause surrounding teeth to become misaligned. Missing teeth can also cause problems with gum tissue and contribute to jawbone problems. For patients who are missing one or more of their natural teeth, dental implants offer a potentially ideal alternative to removable dentures and bridges. Made from titanium, a dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw by an oral surgeon.

After a period of healing and integration, a post is attached to the implant and a natural-looking esthetically pleasing restoration is made to adhere to the post. Durable and versatile, dental implants can be used to support crowns, bridges, or even a full set of dentures. With dental implants, most patients report freedom previously not thought possible as they can essentially eat anything they want. Care for dental implants is the same as with natural teeth and includes regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups.