Implants

Implants are indicated whenever at least one tooth is missing. If the missing space is not filled, the teeth surrounding the space often drift, and the opposing teeth in the other arch will erupt further into the oral cavity (hypereruption) which can change your bite, lead to possible bone erosion in the area, and even affect your speech.

Implants are designed to replace the root of a missing tooth and can be used to support crowns, bridges, or dentures.

Implant supported dentures have gained popularity in recent years thanks to innovations in techniques and materials used for the procedure.

The root-form implant is the most common type and basically consists of three main components:

Implant screw – This part of the implant is made of titanium and is surgically placed in the bone. Titanium is accepted by the body extremely well and fuses with the bone (called osseointegration) during the healing process.
Abutment – This is a metal collar that attaches to the top of the implant screw and is the base for a crown, bridge, or denture.
Crown - The crown is the manufactured tooth that fits on top of the abutment. Bridges and dentures can also be secured to the abutment. The placement of the crown, bridge, or denture is the final step of the implant process.