Dental implants are a good alternative to dentures and bridges, as these implants are permanent and very durable, and may require less daily maintenance and care than other dental appliances. While only your dentist can tell you if dental implants are a good choice for your missing teeth, note a few commonly asked questions about these implants, and some factors to discuss with your dental professional, so you can make the best decision for your overall oral care.

Can dentures be made into implants?

Note that dentures cannot be made into implants, as a dental implant involves a titanium screw that is placed into the jaw bone, and over which is fitted individual caps or crowns. These caps or crowns are glued into place so that they become permanent and affixed. Don't assume that you can save money on dental implants by having your current dentures somehow fixed and moulded into implants, but discuss with your dentist all your options for implants instead.

What if someone has bone loss?

Even if you have suffered bone loss due to illness, injury, or disease, you may still be a candidate for dental implants, although you may need bone grafts in the jaw in order to create enough bone mass to keep the implants in place. You may also be a candidate for implants that fit over larger portions of the jaw, and which work with fewer screens that require less bone mass. In some cases, a person might be able to replace a full set of teeth with just a few dental implants that cover the entire jawbone. Again, only your dentist can tell you what procedure is best for you, but don't assume the suffering bone loss means that you won't be able to have dental implants installed.

What about metal-free implants?

Don't expect to get metal-free implants, as dental implants are typically made of titanium, which is a metal similar to what is used in hip, knee, and other such joint replacements. In rare cases, a person might be allergic to titanium, but a dentist or oral surgeon can tell you how to manage allergic reactions and note any symptoms that might indicate that the implants should be removed. However, most patients never experience any adverse reactions other than slight pain and swelling for a short time immediately after the implants are installed. Unless you know you have an allergy to titanium, you probably have no reason to worry about the metal used for dental implants.