Dental implant therapy is a long-lasting and natural-looking replacement missing teeth. A dental implant is a small titanium post that is surgically placed into the jawbone, where it serves as an artificial tooth root. The surgery is painless because it is completed with local anesthesia. Post-operative discomfort is typically easily managed with over-the-counter pain medications. Implant therapy is highly customizable and may involve additional procedures such as bone grafting or sinus lifts if a patient does not have enough bone to support an implant initially. Over time, the implant integrates with the bone in a process called osseointegration, providing a stable anchor for a replacement tooth.
After the implant has healed, a custom-made crown, bridge, or denture is attached to restore function and aesthetics. Dental implants are fixed and not removable, allowing patients to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. With proper care and maintenance, dental implants can last many years or even a lifetime.