What are dental implants?

Dental implants are small, threaded posts that surgically replace missing teeth. In addition to Installment dental implant filling in gaps in your smile, dental implants improve chewing function and overall oral health. Once healed, implants work much like natural teeth.

A dental implant has three main parts:

Threaded post: You can think of this like an artificial tooth root. A provider places it in your jawbone during an oral surgery procedure.
Abutment: This is a tiny connector post. It screws into the threaded post and extends slightly beyond your gums. It serves as the foundation for your new artificial tooth.

Restoration: A dental restoration is any prosthetic that repairs or replaces teeth. Common dental implant restorations are crowns, bridges and dentures.
Most dental implants are titanium, but some are ceramic. Both materials are safe and biocompatible (friendly to the tissues inside of your mouth).

Missing teeth can take a toll on your oral health. But it also impacts your mental and emotional well-being. Do you avoid social situations? Or cover your mouth when you laugh? Do you rarely smile for photos? Dental implants can restore your smile and your confidence, so you don’t have to miss out on the things you enjoy.