The dental implant serves as a foundation for the replacement of teeth. Millions of Americans are missing one or more of their natural teeth. A major goal of dentistry has always been to replace these missing teeth in the most suitable method available. Historically, this replacement has been done with the use of dentures or removable partial dentures. Individuals who have an adequate number of remaining healthy teeth can often be treated with fixed bridgework.
Bridges are a very successful method of dental treatment but there are limitations.
Dental implants can overcome many of these limitations and provide better patient satisfaction. Dental implants provide support for restorations that replace missing teeth. The implants are made of metal or ceramic material and are placed directly into the jawbone. After the surgical placement of the implant, a healing process, called osseointegration, takes place. Osseointegration is the term used to identify the direct connection between the bone and the implant.