| A dental implant can be thought of as an artificial tooth root that is submerged into the jawbone. When dental work such as a crown, fixed bridge or a full set of dentures is added, one or more missing teeth can be replaced.
Implants are fabricated from titanium and placed in a procedure that, generally, is comparable to a tooth extraction. After an initial healing period, during which the implant is buried in bone and left undisturbed under gum tissue, it is uncovered and connected to a small metal post that secures and supports the artificial tooth. The implant material is extremely biocompatible. The bone grows to the implant and bonds to it. This makes the implant very strong. This process is called 'osseointegration'.
If there is not sufficient bone to place implants directly a bone graft procedure may be necessary.
|
|
| |||
|
|
