As a professional in the marketing industry, my appearance is very important. Because of recent illness and chronic infections, some of my teeth needed to be replaced, and I began researching my options – finally deciding on implants rather than dentures or bridges.

After unsatisfactory meetings with three different doctors, I finally received a referral through my father, whose longtime dentist recommended Dr. McFadden and the Dental Implant Center.

I was so impressed with Dr. McFadden – not only his personal warmth and the passion he has for his work, but also the fact that he had been in charge of the implant center at U.T. Southwestern, and stays up-to-date with the latest technology and equipment.

Now, I am more than pleased with my implants. With their perfect color and shape, they look better than my natural teeth ever did. I’m also now more confident about eating during business lunches – and feeling free to show off my smile.

Dawn C

Until recently, options for replacing several teeth - dentures or partial dentures - were not all that appealing.

Brudus, then 87, lived with removable, partial dentures for nearly 50 years before he decided on implant-supported bridges. Brudus wanted an alternative that would eliminate the discomfort he felt when his dentures pinched and rubbed his soft gum tissue.

Problems associated with wearing dentures can include unattractive changes in facial features, collapse of jaw and decreased chewing ability.

"The implants are better than the teeth I was born with," Brudus said. "Now I can eat without experiencing pain. It's the best decision I ever made."

According to a study in the Journal of Dental Research, 40 % of older Americans are missing some teeth and 10.5 percent are edentulous, or without teeth.

When a person loses his or her teeth, the bone that once supported the teeth starts to resorb or deteriorate. A removable denture can further this degenerative process by placing pressure on the bone.

Years of wearing dentures left Faye, then 65, with unattractive facial changes. She required surgery to prepare her mouth for implant-supported bridges.

An implant-supported bridge or denture can stop bone deterioration. The implants stimulate the bone to return to a healthy state.

"Wearing dentures for 40 years caused my lips to cave in and changed the shape of my face," Faye said. "Surgery, along with implants, helped to correct this problem."

By the time Charles was 60, he had undergone multiple root canals, fillings and tooth extractions to salvage his teeth. Despite preventive measures, the condition of Lee's teeth deteriorated and he eventually lost 18 out of 26 teeth.

"As the condition of my teeth was worsening, I found myself smiling less," said Lee, who is now 63. "I noticed that I was doing a lot of things differently because I didn't think my teeth looked good."

Charles's self-esteem improved when a set of dental implants restored his smile.

"Dental implants have really changed my life in so many ways," Lee said. "And I owe it all to Dr. McFadden."