Dental implants are small, titanium screws that replace the tooth root to support a tooth crown, bridge, or denture. Once healed, they integrate with the jaw bone and become fixed (non-removable).
Nothing is as good as your natural teeth but dental implants are considered to be the closest option. To replace a missing tooth, several treatment options are available and your dentist and periodontist can discuss this with you, keeping in mind your individual needs and situation.
A complete medical history check, clinical oral examination, and radiographs (X-rays) will be needed for adequate assessment.It is important for the general dental and periodontal condition to be healthy before any implant treatment is considered. If there has been bone shrinkage after extraction of a tooth or due to infection, the bone may need to be augmented (built-up) so that there is sufficient bone for the implant to be placed into.
The majority of dental implants can be surgically placed under local anesthesia in the dental chair. There are options for intravenous sedation or general anesthesia in the hospital setting for complicated situations or anxious patients.
Most patients find the procedure surprisingly quick and relatively comfortable, and can resume normal day to day activities within days.
