Implants

What are they and how do they work?

Implants are like your own teeth

Your natural teeth are stable biting and chewing surfaces because they are supported by your jawbone. This is also true of dental implants. Successful dental implants become firmly embedded in the jaw through osseointegration, a natural process where the bone and implant become integrated. This provides the same stability as natural teeth, making it possible for your replacement teeth to look, feel and function like natural teeth.

A dental implant is a replacement tooth root that provides a stable foundation for a replacement artificial tooth, functioning very much like the root and crown of your natural teeth:

Roots Hold Crowns

The crowns of your natural teeth are held in place by roots. Roots not only secure your crowns, they also help keep your jaw healthy by stimulating the growth of new bone. This provides good support for your teeth.

Implants Hold a Prosthesis

The prosthesis (artificial tooth) is held in place by implants, which are usually made of titanium. Because this metal is well accepted by the body, titanium implants rarely cause reactions. Like the roots of natural teeth, implants also stimulate new bone growth in your jaw.

Implants can have different shapes An implant can be threaded like a screw or it may be cylindrical in shape with a slightly rough or textured surface. Implants often have small holes at their lower ends. Over time, bone grows into these surface irregularities (osseointegration), locking the implant into place.

Learn more about dental implants: