This treatment results in a naturally beautiful smile, but there are many steps involved in getting patients to this point. Because of this, it is recommended that patients find out all there is to know about dental implantation before undergoing treatment.
Review some of the most commonly asked dental implant questions.
What are dental implants?
Implants are titanium alloy posts designed to for placement in the jawbone where they then act as a tooth's root. Dental implants effectively support crowns, fixed bridges or dentures. Titanium is a strong, lightweight material and is used specifically in implants due to its ability to bond with bone, creating long lasting support.
What are the advantages over more conventional forms of tooth replacement?
More traditional dental prosthetics such as crowns, bridges and dentures provide patients with adequate tooth replacement, but implants give patients stable, long-lasting support. Stabilized support allows patients to eat and speak with ease. In addition, due to the fact that implants do not rely on support from surrounding teeth, patients also experience an increase in overall oral health.
Is everyone a candidate for dental implants?
Patients aren't automatically qualified for dental implants based solely on the fact that they have missing teeth. Specific criteria need to be looked at and met before a patient can be considered for implantation, including:
General oral health. A patients overall oral health, specifically the condition of their remaining teeth and gums, needs to be in good condition in order for dental implants to be successful. Gum disease, broken teeth or dental decay, if present, will need to be treated before implantation treatments can begin.
Oral health maintenance. Maintaining oral health after treatment is another concern. Success rate will depend on the patient's ability to keep their teeth and gums clean post treatment. A suggested cleaning schedule will be provided by your dentist, and he or she will advise you on how to care for your newly placed implants.

Dentures are uncomfortable to wear- food becomes lodged underneath them, sores develop where they rub against the gums, and even the muscles in your face will get tired from trying to hold them in place. But implants let you avoid all of those problems- they don't move in your mouth, you never have to take them out, and they don't cause mouth pain.
Another great thing about dental implants is that more dentists are able to perform implant dentistry right in their own offices, rather than referring you to an oral surgeon. This has brought the cost of implant dentistry down, making it far more affordable than ever before. As the technology for dental implants has improved, the number of dental implant providers has grown, making the implants themselves far more affordable as well.
You may not realize that the process for having dental implants placed is not all that different from the denture process. While dental implants do require surgery, it can be done with anesthesia right in your dentists' office. What you may not realize is that dentures also often involve surgery to correct problems in the mouth before dentures can be worn. In both cases, tooth extractions or other procedures may be done based on the condition of your mouth.
The biggest benefit to dental implants as opposed to dentures is that implant dentistry offers a permanent solution to tooth loss. The majority of patients who get dental implants will have them for life, and will never need to replace them. Dentures often need to be replaced every few years, and will need to be adjusted as your mouth and gums change due to deterioration that occurs as a result of wearing dentures. Those who invest in dental implants will feel like they have their own teeth again, and they will be far more comfortable than denture wearers.For patients who do have some teeth left, dental implants give you another option. You can leave healthy teeth in place