What are dental implants?
Dental Implants were created in 1952.  The dental post is made of titanium, a metal that human bone tissue readily accepts it into its structure.  The surrounding tissue grafts the titanium post permanently without long-term soft tissue swelling or rejection.  The implants are natural looking replacements of lost teeth that have the natural function and appearance of your lost tooth.  Implants also restore optimum oral health and improve the patient's confidence.  Implants were created to last for a lifetime without the need to replace them frequently.

Are there benefits to having dental implants?
Missing teeth can be detrimental to your oral and medical health. When teeth are missing the bone in the jaw begins to deteriortate and dissolve. The remaining teeth begin to shift and cause gapping.  When you eat, food can become trapped within these pockets and create an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease.  Studies have shown that periodontal disease, better known as gum disease, has been linked to increased incidence of heart disease related issues.  By having implants you can improve your overall health and medical health, as well as increase your confidence.

Why is oral health so important?
More and more studies are linking Periodontal Disease and atherosclerosis, which is a clogging of the blood vessels to the heart and eventually it can lead to heart failure.  Many of the patients studied also showed signs of periodontal bacteria within the atherosclerosis plaque of the coronary vessels. This evidence shows that the more advanced the periodontal disease the more likely the bacteria would enter the blood stream and invade the body. More research is needed, but increasing statistics and studies show that there is a great need for increased oral health care. 

What is the difference?
Dental Implants will stop bone deterioration once teeth are missing, and keep the bone intact.  Teeth are prone to wear after years of use, but implants do not wear and are not prone to cavities.  They do not need the support of neighboring teeth like bridges or partials.  The patient still needs to care for the implants with regular brushing and visits to the dentist.

If I decide to get Dental Implants is there any lifestyle changes I need to make?
Some studies have shown that continuing to smoke may increase the risk of the implants failing by 15.8% as compared to 1.4% in non-smokers. Smoking decreases blood flow, which inhibits bonding of the post and the surrounding tissue.  Dental implants can last a life time and you increase your chances of the best possible outcome.  In order to attain the best results, smoking cessation may be key.