What Are Dental Implants?

A natural tooth is made up of two main parts: the crown (the visible portion used for chewing) and the root, which anchors the tooth securely beneath the gum line into the jawbone. When comparing natural teeth to implant-supported replacements, they share the same basic structure—both have a crown and a root.

However, the key difference is that dental implants use titanium, a highly durable and biocompatible material, to replace the natural root. Titanium is the same material used by surgeons for artificial joints due to its strength and reliability.

When you lose a tooth, both the root and the crown are lost. To replace the missing tooth, the first step involves inserting a small titanium implant into the jawbone, which serves as a new root. Once the implant integrates with the bone, a custom-made crown is placed on top, restoring both the function and appearance of your natural tooth.

After the dental implant is placed, time is allowed for the bone to heal and grow around it. This process, known as osseointegration, allows the bone to bond with the titanium implant, creating a secure foundation for the replacement tooth. Once the implant has fully integrated with the bone, a support post (called an abutment) is attached to the implant. Then, a custom-made replacement tooth (crown) is placed on top of the abutment.

In some cases, a temporary replacement tooth can be fitted immediately after the implant is placed, allowing you to restore function and appearance while the healing process occurs. For patients who are missing all of their teeth, there are various treatment options available to support full sets of replacement teeth, such as implant-supported bridges or dentures, providing a stable and natural-looking solution.