Dental Implants

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically inserted into the jaw bone. Each root forms a stable and lasting foundation for the restoration of a tooth, resulting in replacements that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. If you were told years ago that implants were restricted to certain parts of the mouth, you should know that now implants may be used safely and successfully to replace upper and lower teeth, and even a full smile.

The benefits of dental implants are many. Mostly notably, implants eliminate many of the drawbacks of conventional restorations, such as dentures and bridges. Because implants integrate into the bone, like natural teeth, they do not slide or shift while talking or eating. And because they can be used to replace missing teeth at the root level, there is no need to sacrifice the integrity of neighboring teeth to get a good result.

At the Massachusetts General Hospital Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Dentistry (OMFS), an evaluation by an oral surgeon is required to determine if a patient is a good candidate for dental implants. Normally, a patient with good oral health, healthy gums, and adequate bone can successfully use this option to replace and restore one or many missing teeth.