A dental implant is much like a natural tooth, which has a root in the jawbone, topped by a crown that you see. The implant is inserted beneath your gum into the bone. Before the crown can be placed over the implant there is a wait time of 3-6 months so that the bone can properly adhere to the implant.

Then a crown is made on top of a metal post which is designed to blend in with your other teeth.

Dental implants can also be used to anchor dentures so that the denture will stay in place.

Implants are not for everyone because it requires surgery the patient should be in good health and have enough bone to support the denture.

Advantages:

• An implant is similar to the natural tooth
• Adjacent teeth are not involved in the placement
• Implants may decrease or help the shrinkage of the jawbone from tooth loss

Disadvantages:

• Implants are not intended for everyone
• Implants placement take longer and require more dental visits
• General dentists usually determine if you need and implant, but they usually send you to the specialist for the placing of the implant in the bone.