Dental implants are screw-like devices designed to replace missing or hopeless teeth. Implants are surgically placed in the jaw bone and can support fixed bridges or removable dentures. In many cases, a single hopeless or missing tooth can be replaced with an implant and the patient can avoid needless drilling of adjacent healthy teeth.  When multiple teeth are missing, implants can restore natural function by allowing the patient to wear a removable denture with minimal soft tissue coverage. This procedure means that full dentures, previously made for patients with all their teeth missing, can be avoided.