Dental implants have long been considered the Cadillac of tooth replacements. Comprising a metal post that permanently secures to the jaw and a ceramic crown that secures to the top of the post, the result is a beautiful, durable, natural-looking tooth or teeth. In fact, most dental implants look so natural most people don’t even realize they’re not "real" teeth.

According to the journal Medical News Today, an estimated 88 percent of people over the age of 65 have receding gums. Though the condition can be caused by many things, it is most commonly caused by physical wear and inflammation of the gums. In addition to the high numbers of seniors with receding gums, a growing number of younger Americans are experiencing receding gums at earlier ages as well, thanks to everything from braces to overly vigorous tooth brushing.