Dental implants are a type of synthetic material that are shaped like teeth, often called prosthetic or artificial teeth. Such teeth are implanted into a person's jawbone to repair damage and destruction caused by injury, illness or periodontal disease. Dental implants may help restore or fill in gaps between teeth to reducing the chance of decay and infection as well as for cosmetic reasons.
Fill Gaps
Dental implants are created from a variety of materials that are inserted during dental surgery into the jawbone to fill in gaps caused by lost teeth or entire sections of teeth. Such implants are known as dental bridges, which are literally screwed into the jawbone to offer permanent placement of teeth.
Cosmetic
Rotten or decayed teeth prompt many individuals to stop smiling, or to hide their teeth while talking with others. Dental implants offer a variety of cosmetic benefits, from restoring a bright, white smile to helping restore confidence and self-esteem for those who undergo dental implant procedures.
Reduce Decay
Rotten or decaying teeth may cause not only destruction to a tooth or teeth, but may lead to pockets of infection that may spread through the jaw and to other parts of the body through systemic infection. Removing decayed or damaged teeth and replacing them with a dental implant or implants helps restore health and function to the jaw and reduces chance of spreading decay and bone loss to surrounding areas.
Restore Function
A person missing one or more teeth may experience difficulty chewing and eating certain foods, as well as speaking correctly. Properly positioned dental implants help restore function of the teeth and align the jaw to correct and enhance eating and speaking capabilities.
