
Dental Implants
Implants are tooth roots made of titanium.
These metallic anchors act as root substitutes. Implants are surgically placed into the jawbone; the bone then integrates with the titanium(the process is called osseo-integration), creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. Small posts called abutments are then attached to the implant, which in turn supports the implant crown. Dental implants can be used to replace a single lost tooth, or many missing teeth. Implants also help preserve facial structure by preventing bone loss, which occurs when teeth are missing for an extended period of time.
While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more conservative than traditional bridgework, since implants do not rely on neighbouring teeth for support. They are stand-alone structures which rely solely on the bone for support.