What are Implants?

Implants consist of small titanium posts which are placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. In addition to restoring natural appearance in the mouth, implants can help preserve facial structure, preventing bone deterioration, which typically occurs when teeth are missing.

Dental implants are small titanium screws which are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. A person with implants regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contour have been preserved.

What are the components of an implant?

The main component is the titanium implant itself. This resembles a precisely manufactured screw with a specially roughened surface which makes it very compatible with bone. The implant is about the same size as the root of a natural tooth. It is placed into the bone and left to integrate for 4-6 weeks. By this time it is rock-solid in the bone. There are no problems with the integration of the implant into the bone, because titanium is one of the few materials that can perform osseointegration, whereby the implant is accepted into the bone which fuses around it. Once the implant is solid in the bone, the second part, a special titanium post, can be screwed into the implant. This is called the abutment. The abutment allows the fixation of the final part of the implant – the crown (a replacement tooth). The crown is usually screwed into place. The porcelain on the crown is custom made to match the color of the rest of your teeth, so that the implants are imperceptible from natural teeth.