Implant Failure

Edentulousness is on the decline, but it will increase dramatically in the adult population older than 55 years. Throughout the history of dentistry, clinicians and patient's have struggled with options for replacing missing teeth. Treatment options have evolved from acrylic dentures to metal framework, removable partial dentures to fixed partial dentures. Recently, titanium implants have joined the armamentarium of mainstream treatment in dentistry. The development of endosseous osseointegrated dental implants are the nearest equivalent replacement to the natural tooth and are therefore a useful addition in the management of patients who have missing teeth because of disease, trauma or developmental anamolies.