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AO dental professionals adhere to the SMILE Practice Protocol—aligned with the highest standards of oral surgery and clinical care in implant dentistry—set forth by the Academy of Osseointegration.
Introduction to dental implants
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a prosthetic replacement for a missing tooth. Natural teeth consist of the crown and the root. The crown is the visible section that is covered with white enamel. Supporting the crown is the tooth root which extends into the jawbone. The root is the part of the tooth that is effectively replaced by an implant.
There are commonly three parts to what is described as an implant — the implant device itself (which is inserted directly into the bone), the abutment — the piece that connects the implant device to the third part — the overlying crown or denture. Today’s implants are predominantly made of titanium, a metal that is bio-compatible and offers strength and durability as well as a unique property that allows it to fuse directly to bone — the process known as osseointegration. Other materials, such as zirconium, might be used to make implants in the future. But for now, these materials have not been perfected for general use.
Am I a suitable candidate for dental implants?
Most likely, if you’re reading this, you or someone you know has lost teeth or is considering replacing a failing tooth/teeth. Whether they were lost through an accident, disease or decay, dental implants are an excellent tooth replacement option for nearly everyone. Dental implants are strong and stable and allow you to eat most foods, depending on the type of implant restoration. They look and generally feel like your own natural teeth. They give you back your smile.
Dental implants can be used when:
A single tooth is missing—instead of a bridge
Several teeth are missing—instead of bridges or partial dentures
All teeth are missing—instead of dentures
Consultation with an implant dentist
If you feel that dental implants could be a viable option for you, contact your dentist to schedule an oral exam. It is extremely unwise to proceed with implant treatment if there are areas of untreated disease of teeth, gums or bone, as these can affect the success of your implant surgery as well as the integration and maintenance of the implant itself.
Therefore, a thorough full-mouth examination (including teeth and gums) should be performed. This allows the dentist to also assess your bite (occlusion)—which is important to the success of your implant restoration.
Finding the right dentist is the most important aspect of successful implant treatment. With the growing popularity of dental implants, many dental practices offer implants in their scope of treatment services. However, not all dentists have received the proper education and training that is necessary for successful completion of your treatment plan. Through the AO SMILE dentist locator below, you can search through the AO database of dentists, offering surgical specialists as well as specially trained general practitioners—all AO associated dental professionals. Look for the SMILE logo to find dentists who adhere to the SMILE Practice Protocol—signifying alignment with the highest standards of oral surgery and clinical care set forth by the Academy of Osseointegration