What are Implants?

IMPLANTS are used to replace a single tooth, many teeth on one side, or all the upper or lower teeth. The most common implant used today is the osseointegrated implant. This implant is placed in a hole which is drilled into the patient's lower or upper jaw. Depending on the number of teeth being replaced, one or more implants are placed in the bone. If necessary a substructure is fabricated and then a crown, bridge or denture is securely fastened to the substructure or implant. Implants are useful for patients that have tried but can't wear conventional dentures. Patients who have lost a tooth, two teeth and don't want to cut the teeth down to make a bridge, would also make good candidates for Implants. In either case the patient has to commit to good oral hygiene. Implants are usually placed in outpatient settings(under local anesthetics) and have a healing phase of 3 to 9 months.