What
are Dental Implants?
A natural tooth consists of
a crown (the part you see above the gum), and the root (the part
hidden under the gum, within the jawbone). It is the root that actually
holds the natural tooth in place.
When a person is missing a tooth,
the dentist must decide how to re-create the crown portion, and
he must choose the best method to hold it in place. Dental implants
were created for this purpose. 
Dental implants are metallic
cylinders that are placed into the jawbone where original teeth
once existed. These root-like cylinders are used to secure a replacement
tooth in place in a spot where a tooth is missing. Dental implants
can also be used to secure loose teeth in place by being installed
alongside the loose teeth and anchoring to them with splinted crowns.
This will allow the loose teeth to function better and last longer
in the mouth.
Dental implants are
made of various biomaterials. Most commonly, a surgical metal called
titanium is used, because it is the most compatible with human biology.
They are surgically placed in the jawbone, right in the dentist’s
office, using a local anesthetic. Approved and tested implant systems
are very successful. In fact, some have lasted more than 20 years
with a better than 90% success rate. Patients who have good oral
hygiene and take care of their new teeth can enjoy implants that
last a lifetime.
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