A dental implant is a type of prosthetic tooth. Unlike dentures or bridges that rest on top of your gums, a dental implant is placed into and secured by your jaw.

The prosthetic tooth comprises a titanium post, a prosthetic tooth, and a connecting piece known as an abutment. After implantation, the titanium post bonds with your jaw, acting as a tooth root to create a stable foundation for the rest of the prosthetic, which can include a crown, bridge, or implant-supported dentures.

Once in place, dental implants look and function like natural teeth. No one will know you have an artificial tooth unless you tell them.

You need to have good overall dental health and sufficient bone density in your jaw to be a good candidate for a dental implant.

If your initial consultation and exam reveal jaw weakness or other dental issues, that doesn’t mean you can’t get a dental implant. Your dentist might need to provide other treatments such as a bone graft to ensure your jaw and mouth are strong and healthy enough.

When your dentist confirms that you’re a good candidate for a dental implant, they begin the multi-step process. The first step is the surgical implantation of the post into your jaw. You need to wait for several months while your jaw heals and the post bonds with your bone in a process called osseointegration.

Then, when the post is secure, your dentist attaches the abutment and takes pictures and molds of the abutment, the gap, and the neighboring natural teeth. This information is sent to a dental lab where your prosthetic tooth or teeth are custom-made to fit into your mouth.

When your prosthetic is ready, your dentist attaches it to the rest of the implant. They check the fit and your bite (the way your teeth come together) before securing and polishing it until it shines like a natural tooth.