Through the surgical procedure of inserting a dental implant, the natural root of the lost tooth is completely replaced with a screw-like medical device. The dental implant thus replaces damaged or missing teeth with artificial teeth that look and function just like real ones. Dental implant surgery can provide a welcome alternative to ill-fitting dentures or bridges, and can provide an option when the lack of natural tooth roots does not allow the construction of a denture or dental bridge to replace teeth.
Dental implants are surgically placed in the jawbone, where they serve as roots for missing teeth. Because the high-purity titanium used to make the implants fuses with your jawbone, the implants don't slip, make noise or cause bone damage like a fixed bridge or denture might.
The way in which dental implant surgery is performed depends on the type of implant chosen by your implantologist and the condition of your jaw. The operation itself may in some cases involve several surgical sub-procedures. The main benefit of a dental implant is that it provides a solid support for your new teeth. The surgical procedure to insert an implant will be followed by a phase where you wait for the bone to heal around the implant. Because this bone healing takes time, the process can take several months.