Dental implants are a long-lasting solution for missing teeth. They are suitable for patients of varying ages who have lost teeth due to injury, illness or gum disease. Dental implants provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel and function just like natural teeth, allowing you to speak and eat with ease. They also help to prevent the bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing, preserving your jawbone and facial structure. Dental implants fit comfortably in place and won’t slip out, giving you the smile you’ve always wanted.
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What are dental implants?
Dental implants are designed to make replacement teeth look, feel and function like natural teeth. The dental implant itself is a small titanium post that is surgically placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. These metal anchors act as the support to prosthetic teeth, securing them firmly like a natural tooth. Sometimes implants attach to teeth permanently. Other times they simply secure teeth in place, allowing the patient to remove the teeth for easier hygiene.
What types of prosthetic teeth are available?
Crown: A crown, sometimes called a cap, is a single fixed prosthesis that is permanently cemented to a tooth or screwed onto an implant. It is not removable and used to replace just one missing tooth. This is the closest to a natural tooth you can have.
Bridge: A bridge is typically used to replace two or more missing teeth. It can be cemented over a portion of natural teeth or implants on either side of the gap. It is not removable and the replacement tooth is attached to the surrounding teeth or implants. This is life-like and very similar to natural teeth.
Complete Denture or Plate: A denture is a removable prosthesis that fits over your gums and replaces all of your teeth. It is not attached to anything for stability.
Partial Denture: A partial denture is a removable prosthesis that replaces one or more teeth by connecting the replacement tooth / teeth to a device that fits in your mouth. The partial denture prosthesis is stabilized by connecting to your natural teeth or implants and resting on gum tissue.
Fixed Denture or Fixed Hybrid Denture: A fixed denture is a permanent single prosthetic that replaces all of your teeth. This prosthesis is attached to multiple implants to prevent it from being removed. It is extremely stable and functions like natural teeth. It likely has a “pink” component replacing lost gum tissue and a “white” component replacing missing teeth. In many instances, an entire arch of teeth can be replaced with this prosthesis using only four implants.
