Dentistry

Dental Implants

Dental implants are one method of replacing missing teeth. They can often be placed at the same time a failing tooth is removed, but are also commonly placed at a later date. A dental implant is a small piece of titanium that is inserted into the bone, containing a screw channel through which the final restoration- a combination of a crown (the part that looks like a tooth) and abutment (piece that joins the implant and crown) are attached after bone healing around the implant is complete. Dental implants are an excellent option for tooth replacement with the benefits of being fixed (not removable by the patient, stay in the mouth permanently- unlike a denture) and independent (not relying on surrounding teeth for support- unlike a bridge). To see if a patient is a good candidate for a dental implant, we evaluate the health of the tissues and surrounding teeth where the implant will go, verify there is adequate space in the mouth and in the bone for an implant, and evaluate the...