ROSEMONT, Ill., Oct. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Advances in dental science have led dental implant surgical care to become the best treatment option for patients who have lost one or more teeth.

Whether teeth have been lost to accident, gum disease, or decay, fixed bridges or removable dentures are no longer the only, or best, solutions to restore functionality. When surgically placed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS), dental implants can last a lifetime.

Avoid unnecessary complications. Dental implant placement is SURGERY. Choose an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, the only surgically trained dental specialist, to replace your missing teeth. Watch and learn how oral and maxillofacial surgeons can perform your dental implant surgery and give you your smile back.

"For more than 50 years, oral and maxillofacial surgeons have been leaders in dental implant surgery," said Dr. Louis K. Rafetto, president of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. "The vast majority of the dental implants first placed by OMSs are still functioning at peak performance, giving these patients greater comfort and the ability to live an active lifestyle without the worry that ill-fitting or slipping dentures may affect their speech or their ability to eat certain foods."

Unlike removable dentures, or fixed bridges that use neighboring teeth as anchors, dental implants are surgically placed in the jawbone. Because they "fuse" with the bone, dental implants never slip, make clicking noises or decay. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons have successfully placed dental implants in patients of all ages, even those with such pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes.

"An oral and maxillofacial surgeon has the specialized training and knowledge of the bone, teeth, gum and other tissues of the mouth, jaws and face to assure patients of the best possible results," said Dr. Rafetto. "The loss of a tooth can affect anyone. It is important to seek out the best medical care when those situations arise."

For more information about dental implant surgery and how oral and maxillofacial surgeons are uniquely qualified to provide them, visit www.MyOMs.org, the patient-focused Web site where readers can find comprehensive information about dental implant surgery, wisdom tooth management, oral cancer and other conditions affecting their face, mouth, and jaws. View www.MyOMS.org's library of videos, brochures and illustrations explaining the many procedures performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons and the difference they are making in the lives of their patients.