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While implants were introduced into dental practices in the late 1970s, you may be surprised to know that the earliest recorded attempts of their use date back to the Mayan civilization around 600 A.D. Needless to say, dental implants have undergone giant leaps in improved design, success, and overall patient satisfaction since those ancient times! In fact, today’s dental implants actually integrate or fuse to the jawbone for the teeth they replace. And once integrated and functional, they can easily last a lifetime. Today’s implants are so successful they’re often referred to as your third set of teeth! Learn more in the article, “Dental Implants—Your Third Set of Teeth.”

You’ve broken or severely damaged a tooth and need an implant…do you know your options? Chances are you don’t which could cause needless worry. We can provide you with all the education you will need to be confident in your decision. In a consultation with our office, you will learn the basics about implant dentistry and the fact that as surgical techniques and technology have improved, so have your tooth replacement options. And once your implant is in place, you will be well on your way to good oral health as your new implant is not susceptible to decay or periodontal (gum) disease in the same way as a natural tooth! Learn more in “Immediate Implants.”

For years, stories have circulated about how much more efficient it is to restore missing teeth with dental implants vs conventional crown and bridge. My own experience has proven to me that well-done implants are better for patients than questionable teeth. It has also shown that failures in crown and bridge prothodontics are the leading cause of situations requiring implant restoration.

I have sat through many eight-hour presentations on the advantages and disadvantages of various implant body designs. Over the course of 20 years, I have used a variety of implant systems in a wide range of clinical conditions and have reached my own, tested conclusions about what works where and when it works best.

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You may have heard the term “dental implant,” but do you really know what it is? Teeth essentially can be thought of having two main parts: the crown, the part of the tooth that can be seen above the gum tissues, and the root, the part that is suspended in the bone by periodontal ligament (“peri” = around; “odont” = tooth) that keeps the tooth in place. A dental implant is a tooth replacement system in which an extracted tooth and its root are replaced with a new metal “root” (implant) that is typically made of titanium. The new tooth, usually made of porcelain, is then attached to the implant via a retaining screw and abutment connector. Learn more by reading “What Is a Dental Implant?.”