Dental implants are designed to provide the foundation for the restorative dentist to replace missing teeth to form and function. The patient has the ability to eat virtually anything. Facial contours and tooth space is also maintained by replacing missing teeth. Implants are fabricated of titanium posts which are inserted into the jaw bone where the teeth are missing. There are many different types of implants and the determination is made on examination and the degree of space, amount of remaining bone and individual choice of dentist. Once the implant is placed, a healing time is needed, which may take six months. Once the implant is ready, it acts as if it were a tooth root substitute, where the dentist can now perform his restorative treatment.
