Dental Implants are Here to Stay

Using dental implants to replace missing teeth and to support dentures is a very important part of dentistry today. But it took some time for it to be this way.

When I was in my Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency program in the late 1980s, dental implants were the “new thing.” Very few people knew about dental implants and it was difficult for patients to find information about them. Through the early 1990s dental implants were gradually becoming more accepted. It was still difficult convincing general dentists to give their patients the option of using dental implants to replace missing teeth. They didn’t want to try something “experimental” on their patients. Now, as we move into the second decade of the 21st century, the use of dental implants is widely accepted. It is hard to find someone who hasn’t heard of dental implants. Information is widely available, especially through the internet.

Dental implants have become an integral part of dentistry. Now, almost every patient who needs to have teeth replaced should be given the option of having dental implants. Dental implants have passed the test of time. Once they are placed in the jaw, they can last a lifetime. Very rarely does a dental implant need to be replaced. How many times have you had crowns or bridges remade because the supporting teeth developed problems? And full dentures need to be replaced every 5 to 10 years because they become loose and don’t stay in well. It’s not uncommon for a dentist to say to me, “I saw Mrs. Smith in my office recently and the implants you placed 10 years ago are still holding up fine!”

So, if you are missing teeth, whether it’s one tooth, several teeth or all your teeth, you should consider using dental implants to replace them. They provide a time tested, long-lasting way of supporting crowns and dentures.

For further information call Dr. David Miller at 631-499-7266 for your complimentary consultation to find out how you can benefit from dental implants.