Dental implants are useful for patients who cannot tolerate standard dentures for physical or emotional reasons. Patients have enough dense jawbone in which to secure the implants. Patients do not have a medical condition, such as uncontrolled diabetes, that may interfere with recovery after implant surgery. Patients are no longer actively growing. Patients do not smoke.
Dental implants serve as solid and permanent posts upon which artificial teeth are mounted.
They represent a convenient and safe alternative to bridges and dentures. The surgical procedure to place implants into the jawbone is typically performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia. Implants may be used to replace a single tooth, several teeth or all teeth. Consultation with a prosthodontist to determine if the procedure is appropriate. Surgery to place the implant into the jawbone.