Delaying treatment for gum disease, injuries and tooth decay can lead to missing teeth. In fact, health statistics show nearly 70 percent of adults are missing at least one tooth by the time they reach 44 years of age. And by age 74, more than 25 percent of adults have lost all of their natural teeth. Dental implants are a popular, tooth-replacement alternative to wearing traditional dentures and fixed bridges, which sit directly on top of the gums or depend on neighboring teeth to stay in place. Traditional methods also increase the risk of bone loss. Although conventional methods are still a safe option for addressing missing teeth, compared to dental implants, they also come with certain risks and complications.

Dental implants, which are made of durable, decay-resistant titanium, are a sustainable solution for replacing one or more missing teeth. Dental implants are also a popular choice for patients who have had previous dental work and want to reinforce or replace old bridges and dentures. Your periodontist places the dental implants into your jaw bone where it fuses with your existing bone (called osseointegration). Outcomes are usually very successful for the majority of patients with results typically lasting for decades.