Dental implants are a way of permanently replacing missing teeth. They basically consist of a small titanium rod which is surgically placed into the jaw bone. Titanium has been used for surgical implants for many years since it was discovered that human bone cells grow onto the titanium surface and anchor the implant solidly into the surrounding bone. The dental implant is used to support a porcelain crown to restore appearance and function where teeth have had to be removed.
By using dental implants missing teeth can be replaced permanently instead of having to wear dentures and without having to cut down adjacent teeth in order to provide bridgework. Even when all the natural teeth have had to be removed, by using special attachments instead of crowns, dental implants can be used to give extra support and retention to complete dentures.
