Dentures are our first thought when we lose our adult teeth, it may be through infection, an accident or just pure misfortune. Some people can’t get on with dentures and find them all too cumbersome in every day life. A bridge might suit, but some prefer a more permanent measure to the problem of a missing tooth in the line. In the 1950s a pair of dental scientists at Cambridge came up with an innovation that solves that problem; dental implants. To simplify that, a dental implant is an artificial tooth or a line of teeth that are fixed into the jaw bone just like a natural tooth is. It is know in dentistry circles as an Endosteal implant. They are classed in two versions that are cylinder or screw types. The actual implant isn’t a tooth at all; it is a plate that allows your dental surgeon to fix an artificial tooth permanently to the jaw bone. The process will start with tests which include digital photos, x-rays and measurements. It is good if you have a strong and wide jaw bone, but if not then an enhancement can be done beforehand. Everything being fine, the next stage will mean an incision being made in the gums to expose the bone, then the implant in the form of a plate is screwed into the bone, with a cylinder plate the jaw is drilled and the cylinder will fix the plate to the bone. Later on the plate will be fitted with abutments, these are like studs and will be where the teeth will eventually be placed. The process then needs to proceed with nature doing her bit, the bone needs to be given time to fuse with the titanium plate and the two need to become one. This can take up to six months, but is usually around three months. After that the teeth are ready to be made by an orthodontist, they will colour code them to fit in with the teeth next to the implants. They are made from a material that is as hard wearing as the natural ones we have. They are pushed and fixed onto the abutments and can be used almost immediately, although you will need a few weeks to adjust your chewing habits to your new teeth. The teeth are permanent and can be replaced at any time; they will suffer wear and tear like natural teeth in time.