Dental implants have come a long way in recent years. What exactly is a dental implant?

It is a strong and clinically supported device made of titanium which is inserted into the jaw bone in place of a missing tooth root and acts as a support for an artificial tooth crown or bridge.  That sounds scary, doesn’t it?  It really isn’t and implants are becoming more and more popular as a long-term solution to tooth loss and an option that I highly recommend in my practice for many reasons.

Why do I preach so much about young children getting into a dentist by the age of three?  Because tooth loss is a BIG DEAL.  We want to avoid it at all costs, but sometimes we just can’t.  Tooth loss has many negative effects on your oral health including bone loss, shifting teeth, bite changes, chewing difficulty, wearing down of remaining teeth, changes in jaw joint and many other complications.

Implant therapy is clinically proven, state of the art, and a procedure I am proud to offer in my practice.  According to a recent study, 98% of patients are ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with their dental implants.  Even better, implants are a cost effective alternative with lower long-term maintenance costs when compared to a conventional bridge or other treatment options.

Every patient’s situation is different, however, I am glad to have this option available to my patients that have experienced the loss of a tooth.