Dental Implants are one of the most exciting innovations in the field of dentistry which allow the patient to replace missing teeth with teeth that are nearly as good and strong as natural teeth. If the answer to any of the following questions is yes, then implants are for you

• Do you hide your smile because of spaces from missing teeth?
• Do you feel that your dentures are not secure?
• Do you have difficulty chewing with artificial teeth?

Implants are also referred to as the ‘third set’ of teeth after the first two have been lost (baby teeth, adult teeth), and can replace any number of teeth, from a single tooth to a complete set.

A dental implant is made of titanium, a metal that is well tolerated by the body, which is placed into the jawbone. It is used to support one or more false teeth. A small attachment at the top of the implant emerges through the gum. Crowns, bridges or dentures can then be attached to the implant by screws or clips. They are so natural-looking that you will forget you ever lost a tooth! Dental implants have been used now for over 30 years in the western world to replace missing teeth. Depending upon how you look after them, they can last a lifetime. Implants can be used in the following ways:

• 1 implant to replace each missing tooth
• Implant supported Bridge where fewer than one implants are used for each missing tooth.
• Full arch implant overdentures where implants are used to support fixed dentures.