Implants are not new to the dental world, but recent advances have made them more reliable and a better treatment option than ever before. 

What is an implant?

An implant is analogous to the root of a tooth.  It is a little screw that is placed under the gums in the bone.  It becomes integrated into the bone to become fixed and able to support a crown (the part of the tooth that is visible in your mouth) or denture.

Implants have many advantages over tradition methods of replacing missing teeth: 

Implants are a conservative treatment modality.  If you are missing one tooth between two others that have never been touched why would you want to jeopordize two healthy teeth to replace one?  Implants allow for the replacement of a single tooth without altering the adjacent teeth because they are "free-standing."

Implants retain bone.  If you have lost a tooth, you are losing bone.  Implants act like a natural tooth and maintain bone levels whereas bridges, partials and dentures do nothing to prevent further bone loss. 

Implants do not decay.  Suprise, suprise.  Today's implants are titanium and thus do not decay.  However, they must be kept clean by flossing daily because they can still be affected by gum disease (bone loss).

Implants allow for better hygiene.  You can floss between teeth instead of having to thread the floss under your bridge.

Implants feel like natural teeth.  Implants are the closest thing to the natural tooth in shape, size, and biological compatibility. 

Implants are great supplements to those with dentures who need more retention to prevent mobility when eating, talking, etc.  This is especially true of a bottom denture.