What are dental implants? Nearly one out of ten (20 million) adult Americans have no teeth and over 100 million are missing at least one tooth. Most missing teeth are filled with dentures and bridges. However, both of these devices have limitations. They can be uncomfortable, weaken your bite and cause harm to neighboring teeth. Dental implants, which are artificial teeth surgically anchored to the jawbone, are becoming increasingly popular. Adds touting the benefits of these implants are more frequent. It is estimated that over half a million implants are performed in the United States each year. Implants work very well for many persons. However, they are expensive and have certain risks. Also, as a relatively new procedure there is no current method for certifying that dentists performing implants have the training or experience needed to ensure consistently good outcomes. (This is true for many new surgical procedures). Some dentists call themselves "Implantologists"; however, Implantology is not a recognized or accredited dental specialty. What does this mean for you the patient? You'll need to be an assertive patient, checking out the credentials of the dentists and the implants they use. Some dentists who do implants do not have proper training, and some implant materials have not been thoroughly studied. Who should get implants? Most people in good health who want to replace missing teeth and have enough bone in the area of the missing tooth are candidates for dental implants. The youngest age a person should get implants is not known. Are you a good candidate? Moreover, you must have enough bone for the fixtures to hold. Otherwise, you may be headed down an expensive detour: thousands of dollars (and an extra nine months) for bone grafts. Finally, since your gums won't cling to artificial teeth as tightly as to normal teeth, some dentists recommend additional surgery to make your gum line look more natural. Who should not get implants? Although there are few absolute contraindications to implants they should be considered very carefully in persons taking certain drugs and having diseases that compromise healing. Corticosteroids or uncontrolled diabetes, moderate to severe anemia, collagen vascular diseases or other disorders that can interfere with healing lessen your chances of a good result. Smokers and heavy drinkers may not get good results, either. Implants are not recommended in those under 15-16 years of age because facial structures are not done growing. There is evidence that the jaw of women continues to grow into the late teens and that of men into the 20's suggesting that use of implants be delayed even further.