What are Dental Implants?
Dental Implants are artificial tooth roots that are inserted into the jawbone to replace missing natural teeth.
Implants and their attached crowns closely mimic the look and function of real teeth, and can make an attractive alternative to crowns and bridges.
A dental implant is the metal “root” that is inserted into the jawbone. The artificial tooth (crown) is attached to the implant via an abutment.
Advantages of Dental Implants
- Help withstand greater bite pressures with dentures.
- Prevent bone loss in the jaw (this may reduce the risk of adjacent natural teeth becoming loose).
- Prevent the formation of hollowed or collapsed cheeks that can occur after tooth extraction.
- Are usually surrounded by gum tissue like natural teeth.
- May prevent gum recession.
- Unlike bridges, do not require the cutting and reshaping of neighbouring healthy teeth.
- Are firmly secured in the jaws.
- Are usually more comfortable than dentures.
- Usually do not require separate care routines or special cleaning products, as with dentures or bridges.
Like natural teeth are cleaned by dental floss and brushing with regular toothpaste.