When Sarah lost her front tooth in a skiing accident last winter, she thought the world was ending. At 34 years of age, she could never picture herself walking into a meeting with clients at her marketing agency with a gaping hole in her smile. Her dentist had mentioned dental implants, but like most Americans, Sarah had never quite fully appreciated what dental implants were or if they would really be worth the cost.

Sarah's experience isn't unique to her, every year millions of Americans lose teeth from accidents, decay or periodontal disease. The average American does not realize that modern implantology has made tooth replacement more advanced than our grandparents ever thought possible.

Dental Implants: More than Artificial Teeth

A dental implant is essentially an elegant piece of engineering that resembles a tooth. Unlike dentures that sit on the gums, and bridges based on adjoining teeth for support, a dental implant replaces your natural tooth's root system using a titanium post placed in to the jaw bone.

The procedure may sound complex, but it is actually very simple. An oral surgeon will place a small titanium screw into the jaw bone where your natural tooth root was once present. In the next several months, something incredible occurs - your bone literally grows around and integrates with this titanium post called osseointegration. Once healed, your doctor connects a custom-made crown that has the same look and feel as your real tooth.

In short, as Dr. Michael Rodriguez, who has been placing implants for over fifteen years in Phoenix explained, "We're not just replacing teeth - we're rebuilding the foundation that the teeth sit on, which is why implants lasts a lifetime if taken care of."

The beauty of this is related to the alternatives. Conventional dentures can slide and fall out, which means you should avoid foods like corn on the cob! Bridges are implanted by grinding teeth down (that do not need intervention) to make anchors. Implants are a stand-alone method and even help preserve the structure of the jaw.

The American Dental Implant Landscape: An Expanding Industry

The United States is at the forefront of innovations and flooding the market with dental implants. There are over 3 million Americans who currently have dental implants and this number continues to grow at a rate of 500,000 a year! The industry today is leaps and bounds away from the experimental methods it was using in the 1960s.

This rapid advancement is fueled by improvements in technology and the urgency of American patients. Americans are living longer, are more active and continue to develop more expectations for improvement, especially regarding tooth loss. The previous linear pathway to accept dentures as an aging mythology was quickly supplanted with the new reality that tooth replacement could not only be easily identified as a "tooth," but also was virtually undetectable from a normal tooth.

The economic landscape has also changed. The costs associated with an implant can be substantial, however, it has become less painful from an economic perspective as there are both advances in techniques and technology and competition helped to lower the pricing. Today many practices offer financing options, and in some cases insurances are beginning to include implant treatment as a covered benefit.

Review the geographic map - all of the geographic populations return interesting results. Particularly, urban areas, like Los Angeles, New York, and Miami appear to have the greatest densities of qualified implant specialist and rural services are often two services away (airplane travel). The national and state coverage disparities have created the environments of endentulous patients to seek what is commonly referred to as "implant tourism" where on rare occasion patients will fly from rural/town USA into major metropolitan areas to receive extensive treatment to implant their missing teeth.

Who Are the Most Ideal Candidates for Dental Implants?

The most ideal implant candidate is not always who you think. Certainly, most people think about age when considering tooth loss, but implants can be utilized by all ages of patients. Younger adults with tooth loss due to sports injuries, middle-aged professionals with congenital absences of teeth, and seniors in need of alternatives to dentures can all find utility in implants.

The health status of a patient is much more significant than age. Although the successful fusion of implants requires adequate bone density and healthy gums, age is just a number. Patients with uncontrollable diabetes, heavy smoking habits or patients that are undergoing specific cancer treatments may experience complications related to implant treatment, but these considerations are not always absolute contraindications.

Linda Chen learned first-hand when she sought implant treatment at 72 years of age. Her dentist was more concerned about her grandson who was a teen at the time and was recovering from a motorcycle accident when he expressed interest in implants. Meantime, Linda's bone health and oral hygiene improved the odds in her favor. "I honestly think my dentist was more concerned about my grandson getting implants than me." She said jokingly.

Many patients realize the psychological benefits of implants quite unexpectedly. Aside from the visible improvements in appearance and function, implants often return confidence that patients were unaware to have lost. The ability to eat what they want to, speak clearly, and fearful of smiling often has a ripple effect in everyday life, socially, emotionally and psychologically.

Types of Dental Implants: Find the Implant That is Right for You

All implants are not created equally and knowing your options can ensure to achieve the best treatment for your individual circumstance. Traditionally, dental implants have been one implant for one missing tooth, but now with advances in implant dentistry, there are solutions for multiple missing teeth that we could not previously have imagined.

Single Tooth Implants

A single tooth implant is the gold standard to replace an individual missing tooth. An implant is commonly attached to its own crown, providing a result that is often indistinguishable from your natural teeth. It is the best way in terms of preserving healthy adjacent teeth, and provides the chewing function that is most natural.

Implant-Supported Bridges

When multiple adjacent teeth are missing, implant-supported bridges provide an elegant solution. Instead of placing an implant for every missing tooth, it is possible to strategically place individual implants that can then support a multi-tooth bridge without going overboard on the total number of implants. This option is also usually more economical, while also delivering very good stability and function.

Full Mouth Reconstruction

For the patient missing all their teeth or the majority of their teeth, full mouth reconstruction is as close to life-changing as you will get! In today's world, it's easier than ever to build a brand new set of teeth. With techniques like All-on-4 (or All-on-6), an entire arch of teeth can be replaced with 4 to 6 strategically placed implants. Most patients even walk out the same day as their implants were placed with temporary teeth!

Mini Implants

There are uses for mini implants, where these smaller diameter implants can be helpful in specific situations. It is important to understand that mini implants won't provide the same strength as full-sized implants, but may provide solutions when conventional implants are not an option. Examples of mini implant use include stabilizing an extended removable denture or stabilizing replacement small teeth within tight spaces.

The Treatment Process: What It Looks Like, Step by Step

Having some idea about the implant journey helps to alleviate what may seem like a complicated treatment option. No two cases are the same, but in most cases, the implant journey can take a number of months, with consistent steps over weeks/months.

Initial Assessment and Planning

Your journey starts with a comprehensive assessment that includes far more than just a visual exam. Today's implant planning is heavily impacted by 3D imaging technology which allows your surgeon to see exactly where your nerves run, how much bone you have, and where the implant must be placed to yield maximum effectiveness.

It's often in this planning phase that you will discover some surprises. Some patients, thinking they do not have enough bone to proceed with implants, are elated to find out that modern techniques around bone grafting can create the adequate foundation. Others, who are anxious about complex procedures, later find out that even though their case may seem a little complex, their treatment is actually quite straight-forward.

Implant Placement

The act of placing the restoration usually ends up being less dramatic than patients imagine. The majority of implant surgeries are done with local anesthesia in the dentist's office. Placing the implants usually take slightly less than an hour per implant; however, other procedures such as bone grafts sometimes extend the appointment.

Healing post-surgery varies from patient to patient; generally, patients are returning back to work in one or two days. What I recommend for successful healing is to carefully follow the post-operative instructions and practice great oral hygiene.

Healing and Integration

Your body requires some time for developing the bond between the bone and implant to take shape; this phase typically takes between three to six months. During this healing phase, the practice of using temporary options allows you to stay functional and enjoy your smile. It is likely that you will have your gap temporary filled with a temporary crown, a transitional denture, or you may accept the gap for a while while it is a nonvisible area.

Restorative Phase

The restorative phase is where everything comes together. The dentist will provide you with custom crowns, bridges or dentures to replace your natural teeth and fulfill function of the natural teeth. This could involve several appointments to get the fit, color and bite of the final product to be right.

Costs and Financing: Making Implants Affordable

Financial aspects of dental implants are usually the largest hurdle for patients contemplating treatment. The investment can be substantial, however, by knowing the true costs - and value - dental implants should be put into perspective.

Cost Breakdown

In the United States, a single implant usually ranges from $3,000 to $6,000 (including the implant, abutment and crown), however these prices can vary widely based on geographical location: major metropolitan areas command higher fees. If any additional procedures are required such as bone grafts, sinus lifts, or extractions, there are additional costs that need to be considered.

In addition, as the number of implants increases, the cost usually decreases on a per-unit basis (e.g. if you wanted 3 or 4 implants, the increase is usually not sufficient to be three time the cost of a single implant.) Full-mouth reconstructions that involve a full set of implant supported dentures range in cost from $25,000 to $80,000 depending on how many implants are needed and how complicated your case is.

Long-Term Value

These numbers certainly look daunting until you view them in terms of long-term 'value'. If you compare implants to bridges (which last usually 10-15 years lifespan) or dentures which also need several adjustments and ultimately replacement, implants when properly maintained can last a lifetime. When averaged out over a period of time (e.g. 20, 30 years), they are often less expensive than alternate options.

Insurance and Financing Options

Consistent insurance coverage for implants is scarce within the industry currently, you may have had coverage for a 'medical necessity' case - however, most insurance plans classify implants as 'cosmetic free' procedures. In addition, the insurance landscape is gradually changing as insures see the long-lasting value of keeping the jawbone structure and its associated nutrition.

With the financial concerns associated with implants, dental practices are now often partnering with financing companies that pay the practice upfront, they also offer patients extended time to pay, such as paying within 24 to 60 months. Many patients discover when they explain this option they can allow the costs to be eased within their respective budgets.

Other ways of managing ghastly costs include taking advantage of Health Saving Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). These accounts allow you to access tax-advantaged funds to pay for your dental treatment (potentially using pre-tax funds for the procedure) and reduce the net cost of the treatment.

The Right Provider: Credentials and Considerations

To maximize the success of your implants, you have to select the right provider. Not all dentists offering implants are specialists; general dentists may have the credentials to offer implants as part of their practices too. In modern implant dentistry, specialized training is preferable due to the complex aspects of implantology.

Types of Providers

While general dentists are trained in 'surgery and implants,' oral and maxillofacial surgeons receive the most extensive training in implant placement as part of their residency. These surgeons are in fact able to handle the most complicated cases, whether that be large defects requiring extensive bone grafting or even reconstruction of the jaw bone.

Periodontists are dentists who specialize in the treatment of diseases affecting the gum and bone surrounding the teeth. Periodontists undergo extensive training with implants and are usually very proficient with anything dealing with soft tissues in implant therapy.

Many general dentists also seek advanced implant training options through continuing education programs and mentorship. These general dentists and implantologists are generally skilled at handling straightforward cases while referring complex issues to specialists.

Evaluation Criteria

When evaluating potential providers, there are several items to think about beyond credentials. Certainly, experience is an important consideration, and you should ask how many implants the dentist completes per year, and how long they have routinely been performing the surgery.

In modern implant dentistry, technology has an important part to play. Practices that have 3D imaging, computer guided surgery systems, and digital impressions would likely provide more predictable outcomes in implant dentistry. Likewise, reading past patients testimonials and viewing before and after anything, will allow you insight into the dentists work and patient satisfaction.

Do not hesitate to ask for references or ask to speak with their past implants patients about their experiences. The consultation process alone, will give you insight into a providers ability and approach toward the procedures, care and commitment required to work with you. Comprehensive assessments, clear descriptions of treatment options, frank conversations regarding risks and limitations, and complete financial information suggest an organization approaches patient education and completely informed consent thoroughly.

Regional Differences: Implant Management Across America

The scripts for implant dentistry vary considerably from one region to another in the United States based on factors from population density to licensure processes and economic stability in a given area.

Northeast

In the Northeast corridor, utilizing the academic medical centers, we see concentrated innovation in implant techniques, practices, and research. Major cities, especially Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia, have higher concentrations of specialists using a multitude of techniques to advance our possibilities in implant dentistry. It is important to note this may carry a corresponding price premium due to the overall cost of practicing dentistry in this market, as well as the immense additional training these providers went through for the credentialing as a specialist.

West Coast

The West Coast, and specifically California, is also more focused on the cosmetic aspects of implant dentistry than other regions. The economic stretch of the entertainment industry has created a market for highly aesthetic dental solutions that resulted in rapid advancement of materials, techniques and protocols to help practitioners deliver solutions that are accurate in overall appearance to natural dentition. In addition, the technologic influence of Silicon Valley has spurred a significantly more rapid acceptance of digital planning and computer-guided implant placement.

Southeast

Appreciable growth in the acceptance of the use of implants in the dental practice has occur in the Southeast, with the aging population looks at implants in a relative positive light, above and beyond traditional denture use. States like Florida have trended to a tourism opportunities for patients seeking dental implant services, with some practices located in the country that market to patients travelling from elsewhere, either from other states or nations.

Midwest

The Midwest is a more conservative approach with regard to discerning what constitutes implant dentistry. The dental laser industry uses laser systems that are newer with novel approaches for case management, appliances, and protocols. This area of the country has produced some of the most gifted general dentists incorporating implants into comprehensive treatment plans in order to preserve as many parts of the patients existing dentition.

Rural Areas

Rural areas present their own challenges for accessing implant care in all region components, however it can be useful to navigate a more rural systemic issue. The specific and unique variables around accessing implant care and dentists being able to analyze, invest in, and then maintain or manage the updated equipment specific to dental implants has posed great concern for dentists wanting to provide successful care in a small community's clinical offering.

Some of the creative operational and implementation solutions relied on small-rural providers and professions establishing mobile implant services capable of augmenting both urban providers and rural populations with tele-dentistry services connecting both groups. Links connecting any regional models will be vital in successful problem solving for implant care.

The Technology Explosion: How New Technologies Came to Change the Face of Implant Dentistry

Literally, the past decade of implant dentistry from a technology standpoint has provided a truly significant transformative experience. Almost everything we did in the past with multiple visits, major surgical events & long healing periods have potentially all become portable, easy to use & comfortable nowadays.

Computer-Guided Surgery

One of the new frontiers in implant placement is computer-guided implant surgery. Today, clinicians can scan and develop a 3D model of the jaw structure to integrate with both the diagnosis and requirement (amount) of prosthetic options, and plan implant demarcations linearly on a timeline we can also accurately to present surgical guides we can oversee to client at delivery. This specific model is a huge opportunity for the clinician and a real-time and down to millimeters the surgeon makes it finite and planned out. Another additional benefit with the use of the guided surgical set-ups is the time involved to complete the surgery was cut down significantly, and often also less invasive.

Digital Impressions

Digital impressions are another significant leap removal of silicone impressions of your mouth are no longer required as they can be obtained using intraoral scanning and can be converted into digital model of your mouth, transitions without becoming laboratory processes and just new ways to attain the evaluation specifics and requisite needs of restoration. It only we were a situation of faster, more functional, and often a better level of accuracy - than previous levels.

Immediate Loading

Recent protocols allow potential for providing people with some sort of interim crowns or dentures at the time of implant placement when indicated for cases and delivered immediate loading options to allow previous and backup options as preferred function from the dentist or patients viewpoint of how they they would want the best methods from previous cases. While not appropriate for every case, immediate loading has made implant treatment more appealing to patients concerned about being without teeth during healing.

Advanced Materials

Advanced materials continue to improve implant success rates and aesthetics. Surface treatments that enhance bone integration, ceramic implants for patients concerned about metal, and new crown materials that closely mimic natural tooth translucency all contribute to better outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Regenerative Procedures

Regenerative procedures have greatly increased the number of patients who could clinically benefit from implants. Bone grafts can be derived either from human tissue, animal products (e.g. cadaver and bovine), or synthetic materials; all of which can restore lost bone. Furthermore, regenerative procedures, such as the application of growth factors and stem cells, remain largely investigational but may surpass bone grafting procedures for their abilities to improve healing and regenerative potential.

Success Rates and Long-Term Results: What the Data Show

While the absolute rate of successful treatment for dental implants is among the highest, where properly placed implants have a success rate of 95 to 98%. These results reflect the biologically compatible properties of titanium with human bone, and the refined surgical technique over years of practice.

Factors Affecting Success

However, success rates are subject to many factors. Implants placed in the anterior portion of the lower jaw region, where bone density is greatest, exhibit the highest success rates. Implants placed in the upper jaw, especially in the posterior regions, represent a more complex treatment planning scenario, owing to its lesser favorably dense bone, though still produce excellent treatment outcomes as long as it is subject to appropriate planning.

Conversely, patient factors greatly influence therapeutic outcome. Non-smokers, possessing good oral hygiene and general health will yield more favorable graft outcomes when compared to patients who exhibit risk factors for unfavorable outcomes. In the end, even patients with less favorable scenarios can yield a successful implant outcome with respect to how their treatment is altered or modified correctly.

Long-Term Studies

Furthermore, implant success has shifted from simple survival, to now include specific criteria that considers the amount of bone maintenance over time, soft tissue health, and patient satisfaction. Longitudinal studies with timeframes of 10 to 20 years demonstrate that successful implants retain stable bone levels and continued normal function during the follow-up time.

Implant Failure and Replacement

In general, implant failure occurs either in the very early stages of the healing process or many years after placement. Early failures occur due to infection or failure of the bone to integrate with the implant surface. Late failures are due to ongoing bone loss around the implant. the late failures are usually due to a lack of oral hygiene or a disease termed peri-implantitis.

The good news is that a failed implant can usually be replaced. Removing the failed implant, addressing infection, or treating bone loss, followed by placing another new implant is usually successful.

Maintenance and After Care: Protecting Your Investment

The longevity of dental implants relies heavily on maintenance of the implant and professional on-going care. An implant cannot get a cavity; however, the tissues that support the implant can still get disease that could threaten the stability of the implant.

Daily Oral Hygiene

A daily oral hygiene routine for implant patients is very similar to what is recommended for natural teeth, with some important modifications. Implant patients should brush their implants with a soft toothbrush to remove the plaque bacterial that would lead to inflammation around the implant, just like for natural teeth.

Flossing requires special attention, as the area where the implant crown meets the gum line is very prone to bacterial accumulation. The patients can have a dedicated special cleaning aid for the implants, and can make the most of daily cleaning. A water flosser can help to remove debris around implant crowns, and interdental brushes can reach the areas where traditional floss could not. Some patients benefit from a specialized implant floss with a stiffened end to assist threading the cleaner.

Professional Maintenance

Professional maintenance visits can be more often for implant patients than those patients with natural. Most dentists recommend that patients have their implants assessed and, likely, treated every three to four months to increase the possibility of early detection and treatment if a problem develops. These appointments include, among other things, specialized cleaning and careful examination of the tissues surrounding each implant.

Long-Term Monitoring

Long-term implants involve attaining the ability to monitor to implant's status with imaging. When imaging is performed periodically, x-ray imaging enables your dentist to evaluate bone levels surrounding the implants and to note whether changes have occurred that can represent a developing problem. Early intervention would likely keep a small problem from becoming a larger complication.

Lifestyle Factors

Of course, patient lifestyle choices, after the placement of the implants, will still determine the implant's health. Smoking is by far the biggest risk factor for complications with the implant, both in terms of initial healing and terms that may be implicated in the long-term stability of the implant itself. Patients that smoke following the placement of the implants have a very significant increase in complications including, but not limited to, implant loss.

Common Concerns and Misunderstandings

In fact, many patients contemplating treatment with implants are concerned for reasons that are based on outdated information or misunderstanding about treatment. If patients understand the realities of contemporary implant dentistry, this understanding will help patients better choose a course of treatment option available to them.

Pain Concerns

In all of the concerns of patients, concerns about pain are at the top of the list, and a source of hesitation to proceed with the treatment; however, most patient who had implant surgical procedures declare that their experience with pain was a lot less than they expected. There are contemporary anesthesia methods available to clinicians that have made the implant placement, for all intents and purposes, a painless experience for the patient. All patients can expect to have very little post-operative management with over-the-counter anti-inflammatories to manage minimal discomfort, and most patients will be unlikely to use more than one to two doses; and it is rare to require a narcotic prescription for pain management.

Time Concerns

Regarding the previous theme, is the concern that the procedure will take a long time, which is often enough to lead patients to dismiss considering an implant altogether. Even though the entire process takes a few months to complete, the majority of this is simply allowing the body to heal naturally, rather than doing anything active. Many patients carry on with their daily activities and routine, only making minor adjustments immediately after surgery.

Safety Concerns

Although dental implants have been successfully used for decades, concerns about the safety of implants still exist. Meanwhile, titanium, the metal in most dental implants, has been used in medical devices for over 50 years, with a history of excellent safety.

Functionality Concerns

Patients may be concerned that implants will feel unnatural or interfere with normal functions. However, the truth is that implants work so well, and integrate with the jaw bone so completely, that patients can't always remember which teeth are implants. Overall, most patients experience a natural ability to eat, speak and smile that exceeds expectations.

Age Concerns

Some patients are also concerned with age; at one end, younger patients may be reluctant to make a lifetime commitment at a young age, while older patients may feel they are not candidates because of their age. Unless a patient is a dependant adult, and under the dentally appropriate care of a parent or guardian, implant treatment will likely last a lifetime if the patient takes care of them. Also, there are no age restrictions for younger patients, and even dentally healthy, older patients are eligible for implants at any age, provided those older patients have the requisite health to maintain the surgery if necessary.

The Future of Implant Dentistry in America

The future of dental implants in America is, undeniably, very bright, with innovations on many fronts that are making implants safer, faster, more predictable and increasingly accessible for the growing number of patients looking for cheaper, more predictable treatment options.

Artificial Intelligence

One of the most exciting and interesting developments that will surely revolutionize implant treatment planning involves the use of artificial intelligence. AI-based software applications can process 3D images, and advise upon the most appropriate implant positions while predicting potential complications along the way. AI may open the door for more opportunities in complex treatment planning to be available to general dentists and, ultimately in the best scenario, will improve the care and outcomes of implant treatment regardless of experience and skill level.

Robotics

Additionally, robotics have arrived in the world of implant dentistry, using systems that have been widely accepted in other medical specialties for some time (such as orthopedics). Regardless of the robot, a computer controlled surgical system can reduce implant surgery time, improve patient comfort and post procedural outcomes (due surgical precision and submillimetre placement of implants).

Bioactive Implant Surfaces

Bioactive implant surfaces represent an exciting frontier in implant technology. Certain implant surface designs are also currently being developed to provide better conditions for new bone formation and integration which may lead to reduced healing times and increased success rates in challenging edentulous cases. Some of the experimental surfaces have incorporated growth factors or drugs to enhance healing.

Regenerative Medicine

The field of regenerative medicine is advancing with some potential for stem cell therapy and tissue engineering to replace lost bone and gum tissue. Although most of these therapies are still experimental, they may eliminate the necessity for conventional bone grafting treatments in the future.

Integration with Orthodontics

The coming together of dental implant therapy and orthodontics is generating possibilities of complete smile restorations. Dentists now have the ability to harness computer-aided modeling and visualize the final outcome of treatment before initiating the process. They can visualize to where they would like teeth to be positioned and develop a plan which can coordinate tooth movement and implant placement that optimally achieves aesthetics and function.

Manufacturing Advances

As the manufacturing of dental implants has continued to improve, costs for implant systems have dropped, making them more accessible although often with equal or in some cases better quality. Manufacturing advancements through digital techniques have made it possible to fabricate more predictable implants and custom abutments as well. Competition has improved and has allowed prices to decline with the dental implant space a good example of this.

The Decision - Are Implants Right For You?

To have dental implant treatment means a commitment to time, cost and inconvenience to have something done. However, for the majority of people that are missing teeth or partially missing teeth, implants offer many benefits and advantages that will makes it the more favorable treatment choice where possible.

When to Consider Implants

Think of an implant if you seek a durable longterm solution, rather than a temporary, short-term solution. Although the initial cost is significant, longevity can enhance the overall cost-benefit ratio. If a patient's aim is to hold on to available remaining natural teeth, they will appreciate that implant therapy does not require adjacent tooth modification like a bridge when crowning teeth.

Lifestyle Considerations

Your expectations and personal lifestyle will be influential in determining if implants will be suitable for you. Patients who tend to live an active lifestyle and participate in sports, go away or live away from a location, or heavily engaged in an active social and work schedule often favor while able to enjoy day-to-day activities with the additional added strength and confidence implants allow.

Consultation Process

The consultation process with a qualified implant dentist will help determine your candidacy for treatment. This evaluation goes beyond simple visual examination to include comprehensive health assessment, bone density evaluation, and discussion of your goals and expectations.

Financial Considerations

Financial considerations shouldn't be the sole determining factor, but they deserve honest evaluation. Many practices offer financing options that can make implant treatment manageable within your budget. When determining a cost vs. a future benefit we must always include long-term value, and ultimately, an enhanced quality of life, into the decision.

Conclusion: A New Era of Tooth Replacement: The Dental Implant Success Story

Dental implants, reasonably so, are one of the dental success stories of our time. Just over 50 years ago, what began as a dental experiment has become a recommended and predictable, successful treatment for a million Americans. With every successive year we introduce new technology to help us offer implants to more patients, and to help everyone achieve a better outcome.

As techniques are refined and costs become reasonable, dental implant treatment is emerging to a place where it will no longer be just a privilege, but rather, an easier option for tooth replacement. For those faced with possible tooth loss it brings hope, to retain their smile, function, and confidence to contribute to their quality of life.

The point of this chapter was not to convince you of the treatment of implant therapy, but rather to build a case for implant therapy and its rich history for success and satisfied patients. The future of your smile may well depend on understanding these remarkable devices that can replace not just missing teeth, but the confidence that comes with a complete, healthy smile. In the hands of skilled practitioners, dental implants continue to prove that the best replacement for a natural tooth is a well-placed implant.

As Sarah discovered after her skiing accident, losing a tooth doesn't have to mean accepting a compromised smile. Six months after her implant placement, she couldn't tell the difference between her implant and her natural teeth. More importantly, neither could anyone else.