A: If you're missing one or more teeth, and have healthy gums and overall good oral health, you're probably a good candidate for dental implants. A dental implant, along with a crown, can replace a missing tooth in the most natural way. If you're missing more than one tooth you may want to consider dental implants in conjunction with a bridge, or to function as "anchors" to secure dentures in place.

A: Because dental implants look and feel like your own teeth, the main advantage lies in the quality of life you will enjoy. Patients say dental implants eliminate the discomfort and frustration of ill-fitting dentures, and allow them to enjoy eating a healthy and varied diet without any restrictions or worries. Socially, implant-wearers can regain their self-confidence by being able to speak clearly, and laugh out loud without any worries about loose dentures or missing teeth. Dental implants can even help preserve the long-term quality of your adjacent teeth because, unlike a bridge, neighboring teeth do not need to be altered to support an implant.