dental Implants Dental implants serve as the foundation for replacement teeth. The implant is a small metal post placed into the jawbone; the placement procedure for an individual implant generally takes between 15 and 30 minutes. While a temporary tooth or denture covers the area, the bone bonds with the implant over the course of several months, a process called osseointegration. Once this process is complete, the implant is a strong anchor for a permanent replacement tooth. With the implant as a base, the replacement tooth feels and functions entirely like a natural one.
The essential requirement for an implant is that there is sufficient bone in the area of the missing tooth to bond with the post. If there isn’t, a bone graft can often be performed. The implant is the fundamental element in the permanent tooth replacement procedure, which has become increasingly important as we’re blessed with longer lives.
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