Dental implant facts

• It has been estimated that 69 percent of Americans age 35 to 44 have at least one missing tooth, and one in four over the age of 74 have lost ALL their natural teeth.

• Many options exist to replace missing teeth but only one – dental implants – provides the  feel, function and appearance of natural teeth. Read more about thebenefits of dental implants over other treatment options.

• Ancient dental implants have been traced back to around 600 AD, when tooth-like pieces of shell were hammered into the jaw of a Mayan woman. Thank goodness for contemporary dentistry!

• Contemporary dental implants, which have been in use for many decades, have been proven safe and effective.

• Usually made of titanium, a dental implant replaces the root of the missing tooth root and provides a strong and sturdy foundation for one or more replacement teeth or crowns.

• Teeth restored with dental implants can't get cavities! An replacement tooth, or crown, doesn't decay like a natural tooth, but you still must brush, floss and care for it and your surrounding natural teeth and gums in the same manner as natural teeth. Regular professional cleanings and dental check-ups also are essential.

• Dental implants are the only dental restoration option that preserves and stimulates natural bone, actually helping to stimulate bone growth and prevent bone loss.