What is a Dental Implant?
An implant is a “root” device, usually made of titanium, used to support restorations that resemble a tooth or group of teeth to replace missing teeth.
Virtually all dental implants placed today are root-form endosseous implants, i.e., they appear similar to an actual tooth root (and thus possess a “root-form”) and are placed within the bone. The bone of the jaw accepts and osseointegrates (the fusion of the implant surface with the surrounding bone) with the titanium post.
Dental implants will fuse with bone, however they lack the Periodontal ligament so they will feel slightly different than natural teeth during chewing.
Dental implants can be used to support a number of dental prostheses, including crowns, implant-supported bridges or dentures. They can also be used as anchorage for orthodontic tooth movement.
This next patient had severe crowding and gum disease. She needed to remove the lower anterior teeth and would have been forced to wear a lower removable partial forever. It would inhibit the ability to chew and bite. 5 or 6 teeth were removed and with only two implants we were able to give her a permanent solution that feels and looks better.
How can I find out if this is an option for me?
Call the office of Dr. Mark Blum at 954-748-3448. We will be happy to answer your questions on this new technology.