An implant is an anchor for a prosthetic tooth or teeth (e.g., crown, bridge, denture) that is surgically placed in the jaw. It becomes fused with the jawbone as the bone heals around it. Implants are most commonly made of titanium, a special type of metal that bone fuses to and does not reject as a foreign body.

Implants are used to replace missing or lost teeth. A missing tooth can affect the jaw and lead to bone loss. It may also affect surrounding teeth by causing them to shift and affect a person’s bite.  People with missing teeth may also have difficulty chewing or be dissatisfied with their appearance. Bridges and dentures are also used to take the place of missing teeth.

Before implants can be placed, the patient will need to undergo a comprehensive oral examination to determine if he or she is a good candidate for the procedure. The dentist will evaluate the patient’s medical and dental history. Good candidates must be generally healthy and must be old enough that the jawbones have finished developing. Their gums must be healthy to ensure the success of the implants and they must practice diligent oral hygiene.

Implants require multiple surgeries and appointments spread out over months. The first surgery is performed to place the implant in the jawbone. Then the bone is allowed to grow around and fuse with the implants, firmly anchoring them. The second surgery takes place three to eight months later, depending on the bone’s growth and fusion around the implant. In this surgery, an abutment that will support the restoration is attached. However, in some cases, the abutment is attached to the implant when it is initially placed, condensing the two-step process into a single step (single step). Finally, the restoration (e.g., crown, bridge, denture) is attached to the implant.

Implants are anchored in the bone, so restorations using implants generally do not involve neighboring teeth for support, which can place stress on them. This also means that the neighboring teeth may not need to be cut down and crowned. It may also help to reduce or eliminate costly re-fitting and adjustments. However, they can be expensive and may not be covered by insurance. The surgeries involved in placing implants may be associated with various complications, such as bleeding and infection.