| How do dental implants work? | | | | larger restoration, especially if areas of the jaw do |
| Dental implants are affixed directly into the jawbone | | | | not contain enough bone to manage the implant. |
| and a reconstructive appliance such as a bridge, | | | | Are dental implants really better than dentures? |
| crown or full set of dentures is attached to them. | | | | For many people, traditional dentures remain a |
| The implants, which are simply titanium screws, bond | | | | preferred choice, but dental implants offer a number |
| with the jawbone so that the replacement teeth are | | | | of advantages. First, they don't move in the mouth |
| completely stable in the mouth. | | | | and so do not cause discomfort or sores from |
| The process for placing implants is a two-part | | | | rubbing against the gums. Also, they are permanently |
| procedure. First, the implant is affixed to the | | | | affixed and so will not fall out. Implants also help |
| jawbone. After a period of time, the implant bonds | | | | support the health of the jawbone by stimulating it |
| to the bone, after which the restoration appliance is | | | | to continue to grow in the same way a natural tooth |
| affixed in the mouth. | | | | root would. |
| How many teeth have to be missing before dental | | | | What happens if my jawbone isn't strong enough to |
| implants can be used? | | | | support implants? |
| Dental implants can be used to replace any number | | | | The ability of the jawbone to support implants is not |
| of teeth, from a single tooth to a full mouthful of | | | | based on the strength of the bone but on the |
| teeth. The placement of the individual implants is | | | | amount of bone that is available. In cases where |
| spaced to support the size of the eventual | | | | bone loss has occurred in the jaw, bone grafts might |
| restoration that will be placed on them. A single | | | | be necessary in order for implants to be successfully |
| implant can support one tooth, but for a bridge or a | | | | placed. Ironically, long-time denture wearers, who are |
| full set of dentures there does not necessarily have | | | | the most common candidates for implants, often |
| to be an implant to represent each missing tooth. | | | | suffer bone loss in the jaw as a result of having used |
| Implants can be spaced along the jaw to support a | | | | dentures over a period of time. |