Dental Implants | WAGNER Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Specialists

When you get a dental implant, you'll notice improved confidence as your smile once again becomes full. Implants allow you to regain so much of your former, active lifestyle. No more food restrictions exist for you. In addition, you can now chew your foods easier and more completely, which aids in digestion. With implants, you can replace your missing teeth naturally!

What are Dental Implants?

Dental Implants are small titanium posts that are about the size of your natural tooth roots. They are placed where teeth are missing and they act as tooth root substitutes. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a very strong foundation for artificial teeth. Your replacement teeth typically attach directly to the implants. Implants also help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing.

What are the Benefits of Dental Implants?

Dental implants have enhanced the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world, of all age groups, providing them with tremendous benefits:

Cross-section of a dental implant.

• Preserved facial structure by virtually stopping the deterioration of the jaw
• Improved health with the ability to chew comfortably once again
• A mouth restored as closely as possible to its natural state
• Increased comfort by eliminating loose-fitting dentures and partials
• A more natural smile
• Improved appearance and self-confidence

This highly successful method of tooth replacement was developed in the 1950's and carefully monitored studies have proven that it can be over 95% successful. In our practice, the success rates have been even higher!

An estimated 100 million people in the United States are missing one or more teeth. Dental implants allow people who have lost teeth to regain the ability to eat virtually anything and to smile with ease, confident in the knowledge that their appearance is natural once again. [back to top]

What are the Consequences of Tooth Loss?

Bone Resorption: When teeth are missing, the bone which previously supported the teeth has no function and begins to resorb, or shrink. This can accelerate the aging process as the facial structures become compromised.

Facial Structure Collapse: When all of the teeth are missing, the bone resorption, or deterioration, results in compromised facial structures and contours. The impact of deteriorating bone from tooth loss includes:

Bone is maintained by the presence of natural teeth or implants (a). Bone loss occurs with the loss of teeth (b).

• Collapsed facial profiles
• Lost lip support
• Increased wrinkles
• Appearance of a pointed nose and chin too close together

The roots of the natural teeth hold the bone and gum tissue in place. Since there is no longer a root to hold, the bone in place when a tooth is missing the bone appears to collapse or cave in.

Bite Collapse: When teeth are missing, the opposing teeth have nothing to chew or bite against. Over time, the teeth will drop down or shift into the space created by the missing teeth. When several teeth are missing in the back of your mouth, your front teeth begin to flare out, the corners of your mouth droop and you loose jaw height. [back to top]

What are your treatment options? See the next page for more information!