Dental implant treatment is a surgical procedure that involves the placement of small metal posts, called dental implants, into the jawbone to replace missing teeth. The implants act as artificial tooth roots, providing a stable foundation for the attachment of replacement teeth such as crowns, bridges, or dentures.
The process of placing dental implants typically requires several visits to the dentist. The first step is the surgical placement of the implant itself, which is typically done under local anesthesia. The implant is placed into the jawbone and left to heal and integrate with the surrounding bone. This process, called osseointegration, can take anywhere from three to six months.
Once the implant has fully integrated with the bone, the next step is the placement of an abutment, or connector piece. The abutment will be attached to the implant which will support the final restoration, that may be a crown, a bridge or a denture, it will be fabricated based on the patients' specific needs and preferences.
The final restoration is usually a crown or bridge, which is custom-made to match the color and shape of the patient's natural teeth. The restoration is attached to the abutment and is designed to look, feel and function like a natural tooth.