Implants are indicated whenever at least one tooth is missing. If the missing space(s) is not filled, the teeth surrounding the space often drift and the opposing teeth in the other arch will erupt further into the oral cavity (hypereruption). This can change your bite, bone erosion can occur in the area, and even changes in speech might occur. The popularity and predictability of implants has increased steadily over the years.
Implants are designed to replace the root of a missing tooth and can be used to support crowns & bridges or dentures. The root-form implant is the most common type and basically consists of three main components:
Implant treatment requires a sophisticated understanding of biomaterials, bone and soft tissue biology, prosthetics, and surgical principles. It is currently understood within dentistry that surgical implant placement is best governed by the final outcome. That is, the implant should be placed directly under the planned location of the final crown/prosthesis. As such, implantology is a prosthetic procedure with a surgical component. Dr. Burnham has extensive post-graduate training in and understanding of implant prosthodontics and would love to discuss treatment options with you.
