Dental implants offer a permanent solution to replace missing teeth or to secure bridges, anchor dentures, and overdentures. The implant itself is a metal post that's implanted into the jaw bone where it serves as an artificial tooth root. In most cases, the implant acts as an artificial root, securing a single artificial tooth that's been lost due to decay, gum damage, trauma or other causes. The prosthetic tooth is usually a crown that, with modern manufacturing techniques, looks and feels very similar to a natural tooth.

Most patients require several visits for an implant to be placed. After the dentist has completed a thorough consultation to determine that a dental implant is the best option, he prepares the jaw of implantation. This can involve bone grafting if the jaw is too weak to support a post. Once the jaw is ready, the titanium post is implanted in the jaw bone. The patient will wait for the implant to settle into the jaw. Then, during the next visit, a special piece called an abutment will be attached to the post and an impression of the abutment, the gap, and the surrounding will be made. This impression will be sent to a lab where the artificial tooth will be made. At the final visit, the crown will be attached to the post using the abutment. when a patient receives their implant they should take extra care of it, as well as the surrounding gum tissue. to keep it strong and stable for their lifetime. With proper care, dental implants can replace a tooth permanently.