New teeth just like your own If you have lost one or more teeth and you avoid laughing aloud, smiling, or eating in public because your denture may slip or a space left by missing teeth may show, then you may want to consider dental implants. No matter how many teeth you're missing, dental implants may make it possible for you to: Smile with confidence Eat whatever you like Talk and laugh without embarrassment Speak with confidence again You may have spaces in your mouth where teeth were lost or removed or never grew in. Although these spaces may be embarrassing, traditional dental restorations aren't always the best solution. Removing a complete or partial denture at night may be inconvenient and and you may wish to avoid the discomfort and embarrassment caused by a denture that slips. If you want teeth that look and feel as though they're really part of your mouth, dental implants may be right for you. Used successfully for many years, dental implants anchor artificial teeth into your jawbone to provide a secure and stable fit. Implants can meet your needs whether you're missing all, a few, or only one of your teeth. Are implants for you? Dental implants can improve the quality of life for many people, but they aren't for everyone. If some of the items below apply to you, then dental implants may be a good choice for you: How your mouth feels Do complete or partial dentures cause discomfort when you eat? Do you wear a denture that slips or fits badly? Are the teeth holding your bridge loosening or moving? Do you have difficulty chewing certain foods? How you feel about your teeth Are you embarrassed about missing teeth or dentures when you smile or laugh? If you have a complete or partial denture, do you sometimes carry it in your pocket or leave it at home? Has tooth loss caused you to loose confidence when speaking or smiling? Your commitment to dental implants Can you wait 3 to 9 months for the entire implant process to be completed? Are you willing to spend extra time caring for your dental implants? Will you follow up with regular dental checkups? Implants are like your own teeth Your natural teeth are stable biting and chewing surfaces because they are supported by your jawbone. This is also true of dental implants. Successful dental implants become firmly embedded in the jaw through osseointegration, a natural process where the bone and implant become integrated. This provides the same stability as natural teeth, making it possible for your replacement teeth to look, feel and function like natural teeth. A dental implant is a replacement tooth root that provides a stable foundation for a replacement artificial tooth, functioning very much like the root and crown of your natural teeth: Roots Hold Crowns The crowns of your natural teeth are held in place by roots. Roots not only secure your crowns, they also help keep your jaw healthy by stimulating the growth of new bone. This provides good support for your teeth. Implants Hold a Prosthesis The prosthesis (artificial tooth) is held in place by implants, which are usually made of titanium. Because this metal is well accepted by the body, titanium implants rarely cause reactions. Like the roots of natural teeth, implants also stimulate new bone growth in your jaw. Single or Multiple Tooth Replacement Because dental implants replace the tooth root and serve as an anchor, your new teeth are secured directly to the implant. This treatment allows teeth to be restored naturally, without harming or involving your surrounding teeth. Implant Supported Dentures Dental Implants can also be placed to permanently anchor and support partial or full dentures, eliminating the need for dental adhesives. Dentures can be supported with either a bar/clip or ball socket attachment for removal, allowing for regular cleaning.