Introduction to Dental Implants

About Implants
Implants are commonly made of titanium, a metal that is well tolerated by the body. A dental implant is essentially a substitute for a natural root. Each implant is placed into a socket carefully drilled at the precise location of the intended tooth. Over time, the jawbone becomes firmly united with the implant. A small attachment at the top of the implant emerges through the gum. Crowns, bridges or dentures can then be attached to the implant by screws or clips.

Why have implants?

• Implants are an alternative to conventional bridges and partial dentures.
• If you find that your full dentures move around a lot, implants will help to anchor the denture in place.
• Your dentist may recommend using implants to support a bridge rather than cut into healthy teeth either side of a gap.
• When teeth are lost, the jawbone may start to shrink. Implants can help slow this process down.

While increasingly popular, implants are not appropriate for everyone. You need to be medically fit and have healthy gums and a sufficient thickness of jawbone.

What are the alternatives?
The alternatives to implants are dentures or bridges. On the other hand, you may choose to simply accept the space where a tooth is missing.

A denture usually includes a metal and/or plastic base carrying plastic or porcelain artificial teeth. It is a removable replacement for a few missing teeth (partial denture) or a whole set of teeth (complete dentures). Dentures are very common but they can become loose, making it difficult to eat and speak. One or more implants can be fitted to help support and retain a denture.

A bridge consists of artificial teeth cemented onto adjacent natural teeth. When preparing a conventional bridge, the dentist needs to shape the teeth either side of the gap so that they will successfully hold the bridge. The bridge is placed over the gap and the teeth on either side and then cemented into place.

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