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Why it's done
By Mayo Clinic staff
For years, people with missing permanent teeth had to use fixed bridges or dentures to restore their smile. But both of these options have drawbacks. Fixed bridgework can damage healthy teeth, and dentures can slip, make embarrassing clicking noises, or contribute to bone loss. Dental implants avoid all these problems.
Instead of resting on your gumline or using adjacent teeth as anchors, dental implants are surgically placed in your jawbone, where they serve as the roots of missing teeth. Because the metal in the implants fuses with your jawbone, the implants won't slip, make noise or cause bone damage.
Once the metal cylinder is in place, an abutment (also called an extension) is fitted on top of it. Then, an artificial tooth (crown) is attached to the abutment, creating the polished look of a real tooth. You may have one tooth replaced with dental implant surgery, or many.
In general, dental implants may be right for you if you:
- Have one or more missing teeth
- Have a jawbone that's reached full growth
- Have adequate bone to secure the implants, or are able to have a bone graft
- Have healthy oral tissues
- Don't have health conditions that will affect bone healing
- Are unable or unwilling to wear dentures
- Want to improve your speech
- Are willing to commit several months to the process
