Dental implants
It used to be that replacing missing teeth meant full or partial dentures or using adjacent teeth to anchor a bridge that would rest on the gum. Dentures and bridges can often lead to periodontal (gum) disease or bone loss where the missing teeth used to be.
Advances in oral and maxillofacial surgery now mean that dental implants are widely available. In fact, OMF surgeons were the pioneers in this field and remain on the forefront of dental implantology.
Dental implants are long-term replacements that your OMF surgeon “fuses” to your jaw bone in a process called “osseointegration”. The implants are composed of titanium and, because they are fused to the jaw bone, lessen the likelihood of bone loss.
Dental implants can be appropriate for young adult, middle aged and older patients. Growing children are generally not candidates for this procedure, though in some circumstances an orthodontist may recommend it.
An OMF surgeon will surgically place the implant or implants and your dentist will fabricate the prosthesis (teeth) that covers the implant.
Both the dentist and your OMF surgeon will follow up to ensure you receive the highest level of aftercare.
Consult your dentist or an OMF surgeon about dental implants for missing teeth. The surgical expertise and thorough understanding of the aesthetics and function of the mouth, teeth, jaws and face allow an OMF surgeon to perform the procedure to the highest standards.