An artificial tooth root that is surgically anchored into the jaw, or placed over it, to replace a permanent tooth, a dental bridge, or full dentures. There are two kinds of dental implants: the most common implant can be embedded directly into the jawbone to function as the natural roots of a tooth. The other kind of implant consists of a custom made, thin metal framework that fits over the existing bone and is placed under the membrane that covers the bone; this form of dental implant is used when there is insufficient jaw structure to hold the implant. Implant material is composed of metallic and bonelike ceramic materials that are compatible with human body tissue and unlikely to be rejected by the gum and bone tissue. These materials bond with bone.
In dentistry, a prosthetic device in any of several shapes. It is implanted into oral tissues beneath the mucosa or the periosteal layer, or within the bone to support or hold a fixed or removable prosthesis.
A dental implant is a post that is surgically inserted into the jaw to hold an artificial tooth. It can be made of titanium or synthetic materials. The implant procedure is performed under either local or general anesthesia. A hole is drilled into the jaw and the post is inserted. After several months, an attachment that sticks out from the gum is screwed onto the post; a few weeks later, the artificial tooth is attached.