When a patient loses a tooth, a variety of options are available for replacement. One option that has gained popularity is the dental implant. A dental implant is a titanium fixture, which is surgically implanted into the jawbone. Once integrated, the implant serves as a titanium replacement of the tooth's root on which a variety of dental restorations can be placed.

Implants can be used to replace a single tooth, several teeth, or to serve as anchors to secure a loose denture. Implants have a number of advantages. In many cases they eliminate the cutting down of natural teeth for dental restorations. They do not decay like natural teeth, and they help preserve the jawbone where natural teeth have been lost. Dental implants are surgically implanted as an outpatient procedure, usually with minimal or no post-operative discomfort. Most patients return to work the day following implant surgery.

Implants can replace single teeth, thereby eliminating the need for a bridge or a removable partial denture.

Single Tooth Implant

	Left diagram is an example of a single tooth implant replacing the front tooth. Note the similarity in design of implant to root of natural tooth.
	Left diagram is an example of a bridge as replacement option for a missing front tooth.
	Left diagram is an example of a removable partial denture as a replacement for a missing front tooth.
Diagrams from Straumann Dental Implant Brochure

The following case illustrates the replacement of an upper front tooth:

 
This pretreatment photo shows the patient’s natural teeth with temporary restorations.

 
The above photo reveals a defect in the root of the patient’s natural tooth that resulted in the need for the tooth to be removed. 

The photo above demonstrates an implant supported crown replacing the central incisor to the left, and a crown on a natural tooth on the central incisor to the right.

  
 
The same implant case demonstrating the patient’s smile.

When a patient loses a tooth, a variety of options are available for replacement. One option that has gained popularity is the dental implant. A dental implant is a titanium fixture, which is surgically implanted into the jawbone. Once integrated, the implant serves as a titanium replacement of the tooth's root on which a variety of dental restorations can be placed.

Implants can be used to replace a single tooth, several teeth, or to serve as anchors to secure a loose denture. Implants have a number of advantages. In many cases they eliminate the cutting down of natural teeth for dental restorations. They do not decay like natural teeth, and they help preserve the jawbone where natural teeth have been lost. Dental implants are surgically implanted as an outpatient procedure, usually with minimal or no post-operative discomfort. Most patients return to work the day following implant surgery.

Implants can replace single teeth, thereby eliminating the need for a bridge or a removable partial denture.

Implants can be used to support dentures, thereby eliminating the need for adhesives or even covering of the roof of your mouth: 

Diagrams from Straumann Dental Implant Brochure

This patient could no longer wear a lower partial due to extensive decay. Supporting the new denture with two implants eased the transition to a lower denture. 

Before Teeth Removed	After Implant Placement	Implant Supported Denture

When teeth are not present on either side of space created by the loss of a tooth, a removable partial denture used to be the only treatment option available. Implants can eliminate the need for a partial denture: 
 

Diagram demonstrates the use of a removable partial to replace mulitple teeth.	Diagram demonstrates the use of implants, which provide a permanent tooth replacement.
Diagrams from Straumann Dental Implant Brochure

This patient was unable to wear a partial denture, which formerly replaced his missing molars on the left side. Two implants were used to give him a permanent set of molars. 
 

Side View	Top View