When the teeth nature gave Miriam Doyle gave out, she got dentures. When she found she didn't like dentures, she opted for a new technology - dental implants. That was more than 20 years ago. Now, Dr. Jack Hahn, a Cincinnati dentist who fitted Mrs. Doyle with her implants, says more and more consumers are opting for them over dentures. More practitioners are being trained in implant technology, Dr. Hahn said, and more manufacturers are producing the implants themselves.
Dental implants are gaining popularity for a number of reasons, experts say.
People are living longer, but their natural teeth don't always remain for the duration. For many people, implants may be a more attractive and practical option than traditional dentures, partials, plates and other hardware. That wasn't always the case with her bottom plate. You have to really learn to control it so it doesn't flop up and down in your mouth or anything,'' she said. Movable teeth are embarrassing.