A dental implant is an artificial tooth root placed in your jaw to hold a replacement tooth. In general, there are three parts to a dental implant:
- Implant — A small screw-like metal post implanted into the jaw
- Abutment — A small metal extension, which is placed on top of the implant
- Crown — The replacement tooth that sits on top of the abutment.1
Dental implants can be used as the support for a dental crown (replacement tooth), as anchors for fixed bridges, or as support for removable partial or complete dentures. In some patients one or more implants might be used depending on whether a single tooth is being replaced, multiple teeth are being replaced, or full denture support is needed.1
While the cost is generally higher than other options for replacing teeth, there are a number of advantages to dental implants. When compared to bridges or dentures, implants are generally more comfortable, since they look and feel like natural teeth. In addition, the lifespan of a dental implant is typically much longer than that of a bridge or denture. In some cases, dental implants may be the only treatment available for restoring missing teeth, based upon the complexity of the clinical situation.1