Implants have become the standard of care and preferred means of replacing missing front and back teeth. Unlike a bridge, an implant does not affect the teeth adjacent to an empty space and it has incredible longevity. A titanium post is surgically placed in the bone by one of our preferred periodontists or oral surgeons- a procedure that typically results in very minor discomfort. The implant is left alone for several weeks to allow the bone to grow and integrate around it. Once this has been accomplished a tooth-colored crown is placed on top of the implant by Dr. Ritter who has carefully determined the most appropriate shade and shape to create a natural-looking restoration.