Dental Implants

Dental implants are an excellent solution for the millions of people who have permanently lost a single tooth, many teeth or use dentures. Made of materials that are compatible with human bone and tissue, dental implants provide artificial teeth that look natural and feel secure. They can also be used to attach full or partial dentures.

Dental implants offer many advantages compared to conventional dentures and bridges, which are often very uncomfortable and due to slippages and clicks, limit a person's ability to speak and eat normally. Because of this, many people feel self-conscious wearing their dentures. However, dental implants can greatly enhance a person's quality of life by providing the following:

• Restoring normal chewing and speaking functions
• Increasing your confidence by replacing teeth that won't move or loosen and have the same look, feel and function of your natural teeth
• Eliminating irritated and painful gums, as well as damaging pressure on remaining natural teeth caused by dentures
• Helping to stop the progressive bone loss and shrinkage of your jawbone by "mimicking" the roots of natural teeth.

For information or to make an appointment, please call:
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Center (415) 476-1316

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated August 29, 2007