Why choose dental implants?

An implant is a small post placed in the jawbone that holds a replacement tooth, a bridge or a denture. Implants help in several different situations.

What implants can do

• Replace a single missing tooth. An implant is a simple, natural-looking way to fill one gap.
• Support several missing teeth, or a whole arch. Implants give a bridge or denture a firm base, which is a real mechanical advantage over teeth that rest only on the gums.
• Replace dentures that move. If removable teeth have been a struggle, implants can hold dentures firmly in place, or support teeth that stay in for good.
• Replace teeth that keep decaying. An implant cannot get a cavity, so it can replace teeth that are past repair. The gum and bone around it can still become infected (peri-implantitis), which is why cleaning and checkups matter.

For denture wearers

For people who wear dentures, implants can change daily life. When teeth are stable, chewing firmer foods becomes possible again, which helps with diet and nutrition.

Most of all, implants can give you back confidence in your smile.

Things to weigh

Implants are not the only way to replace teeth. A bridge or a removable partial denture may also work for you, and each option is compared at your evaluation.

• Implants take time. Treatment usually runs over several months, with surgery and healing before the final tooth.
• Some health factors matter. Smoking, poorly controlled diabetes and some bone medicines can affect healing. Tell us about your health and medicines at your evaluation.
• Implants need care. They can last many years, but only with good cleaning and regular checkups.

Next: what is it like?

Once you know why implants may help, the natural next question is what the process feels like. Read what to expect.