The loss of the natural teeth can lead to esthetic, functional, and psychological problems. Dental implants are a predictable, long term option to replace teeth that need to be removed or are already missing. Dental implants are artificial tooth root replacements that were first developed half a century ago by a Swedish orthopedic surgeon named Per-Ingvar Branemark. They arose from the patient’s need to secure loose-fitting dentures that had become irreversibly unstable due to severe loss of jawbone structure.

Since the advent of the implant, engineering and enhancements to the implant have enabled dentists to expand its usefulness. Today, implant techniques provide a wide range of tooth replacement solutions, including:

Single tooth replacement

Exhibit 1 - Before	Exhibit 1 - After

Multiple tooth replacement

Exhibit 2 - Before	Exhibit 2 - After

Stabilization of removable partial or full dentures

Exhibit 3 - Before	Exhibit 3 - After

The dental implant is a threaded post that replaces only the root portion of a tooth. It is made of titanium alloy, the material used for bone plates and screws employed in orthopedic surgery. Following placement of the implant into the jawbone, the patient may often return to normal activities the next day. Depending on how the implant will be used, the healing time required before attaching to the implant can vary from a few days to several months. If an implant is selected to replace the root of a tooth that must eventually be removed, the extraction and the placement of the implant can often be done at the same time. If there is inadequate bone structure present to securely hold the implant, a bone grafting procedure may be indicated. This can often be performed at the same time the implant is placed.

Regeneration of Bone for Dental Implants:

Extraction of a tooth causes the jawbone to shrink. Much of this bone loss occurs in the first year following tooth removal (See Exhibit 4 & 5). If dental implants are selected to replace lost teeth, there must be an adequate volume of bone available into which to place the implant. Regenerative surgery may be necessary to restore the bone to a size and shape that will allow successful placement of the implants. Current techniques allow lost bone to be re-grown in all dimensions, so as to enable virtually any patient to be able to receive dental implants.

Exhibit 4 - Early Bone Healing	Exhibit 5 - Bone 1 Year After Extraction

Post Implant Care:

Although proper oral hygiene is always recommended for maintaining good dental health, it is especially important when a patient has received a dental implant. Bacteria can attack the gums around the implant, causing them to become infected, and the jawbone holding the implant to decay. Excess force on the implant can also break down the bone. This recession of the jawbone will weaken the implants, and may eventually lead to the need to have them removed. Dental implants can last for decades when appropriately placed, restored, and given proper care.