Modern dental implants have been used in dental practice since the early1980’s with increasing success.

The early implants developed by Professor Branemark were made from pure titanium. This technology was a spin-off from research done in the field of orthopaedic surgery.  

Various types of roughened surfaces, screw and body designs, surface coatings were tried over many years, so that today implants quickly become fused to the surrounding bone of the jaw.  The most common design today is a screw form that provides initial stability on insertion, and maximum  surface area for migration of bone cells.  

The internal of the implant has a milled thread and locking devices so that a metal post called an abutment can be fitted. It is to this abutment that a crown is attached; or other prosthetic device link a denture or bridge.  

A single implant will support a porcelain crown whilst multiples may retain an overdenture, or a implant supported denture , or multiple porcelain bridge work.

The implant is the primary anchor to the mouth upon which one of many restorative options can be fitted. 

The simplest form of implant retained dentures is called an over-denture where 2 or more implants are placed to which ball attachments or a cast metal bar fabricated. These locate the denture with clips and stop movement during chewing, however the denture can be removed for daily cleaning.  

When there are 4 -6 implants placed, a fixed denture can be made that cannot be removed by the patient, This fixed denture is called a Hybrid denture and consists of a cast metal framework upon which denture teeth are supported. This is retained by the implants by dental cement ro a fixture screw.  

When 6-8 implants are placed in a jaw, they can be used to support multiple porcelain (ceramic) teeth as in full mouth bridge work.