A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that a periodontist places into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason.

While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework, since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support.

* Have one or more missing teeth
* Have a jawbone that's reached full growth
* Have adequate bone to secure the implants, or are able to have a bone grafting procedure
* Have healthy oral tissues
* Don't have health conditions that will impair bone healing
* Are unable or unwilling to wear dentures
* Want to improve your speech
* Are willing to commit several months to the process