How do implants work?
Teeth restored with dental implants look, feel and function just like natural teeth. You brush, floss and visit your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings, same as you would to care for a natural tooth.
After meeting with a dental implant dentist to develop your treatment plan, the placement of a dental implant usually involves several steps:
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The dental IMPLANT, usually a cylindrical and/or tapered post made of titanium, is placed surgically into the jawbone.
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As you heal, your implant will osseointegrate, or fuse with, your natural jawbone, with the two growing together to form a strong and long-lasting foundation for your replacement teeth. This healing process can take weeks to months while you proceed with your everyday life in between appointments.
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Once the implant bonds with the jawbone, a smaller connector – called an ABUTMENT- is placed on top of the dental implant to connect the implant to the replacement tooth or teeth.
An individual CROWN, an implant-supported BRIDGE or DENTURES containing multiple teeth are then attached to the abutment.