The replacement of missing teeth.

Dentists have used a great deal of ingenuity in replacing lost teeth. Until recently, however, it was not possible to duplicate the natural situation and attach tooth-root analogues to the host bone. Osseointegration allows such an attachment, in which threaded unalloyed titanium implants are placed in the bone by means of a meticulous surgical procedure. The documented successful use of this process has already altered profoundly the predicament of the edentulous patient. The application of osseointegration as a treatment modality for partial edentulism offers exciting challenges for the dentist. This article reviews preliminary experiences in this area from the University of Toronto's Clinical Osseointegration Unit.