Implant

A dental implant is a medical device that supports a dental prosthesis. Also called a “fixture,” an implant can interface with several bones, including the jawbone (which is the most commonly used) or zygomatic bone (cheekbone). Once in place, implants can support numerous types of prostheses, including bridges, crowns, dentures, and veneers.

The implant fuses to the bone in a process called osseointegration, which anchors the implant and allows it to provide a durable solution to missing teeth for many years. In fact, when done correctly, dental implants can last the rest of a patient’s life, making them a more viable long-term solution for missing teeth than bridges or dentures. While these options may seem more affordable at first, they often need to be replaced after a while. In the case of dentures, they may even be uncomfortable and difficult to wear.

Patients should also consider the effects of “bone resorption” when choosing a treatment for their situation. This describes the well-documented process of bone degradation in people who live with missing teeth due to lacking vital nourishment from their natural teeth. By mimicking the function of a real tooth root, both titanium and zirconia ceramic implants prevent bone degradation compared to other treatments for missing teeth.