A dental implant replaces a missing tooth’s root with a post placed in the jaw, then supports a crown, bridge or denture on top. The American Dental Association (ADA) calls implants one of the biggest advances in dentistry in the past 40 years. This guide walks through how the process works, what affects healing and what risks the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) describes. For prices, see our implant vs denture cost factors.
What an implant is made of
The FDA explains an implant system has an implant body, surgically placed in the jawbone in place of the tooth root, and an abutment. The abutment is usually attached with a screw and extends through the gums to support the artificial tooth. The FDA says most systems are made of titanium or zirconium oxide.
The three phases
The ADA describes three general phases:
1. Placing the implant
The dentist surgically places the implant in the jawbone. During healing, the ADA says your dentist may recommend soft foods, cold foods and warm soup. Some people first need a bone graft. See bone grafts before implants.
2. Healing (osseointegration)
Bone grows around the implant and holds it in place, a process called osseointegration, meaning “combines with the bone.” The ADA says some patients wait up to several months for full integration before replacement teeth are attached. Others can have the implant and teeth placed in one visit. The FDA says healing may take several months or longer, typically with a temporary abutment in place.
3. Attaching the replacement tooth
For a single tooth, the dentist makes a custom crown matched to your other teeth. For several teeth, custom bridges or dentures are made to fit the implants. The ADA notes a temporary crown, bridge or denture may be used while the permanent one is made.
Who is a good candidate
The ADA says your health matters more than your age, and you may be medically evaluated by a physician before surgery. Chronic illnesses such as diabetes or leukemia may interfere with healing, and tobacco use can slow it. The FDA adds that smoking may reduce long-term success.
Benefits and risks
The FDA lists benefits including restoring chewing and appearance, helping keep the jawbone from shrinking, preserving surrounding bone and gums and keeping nearby teeth stable.
Risks the FDA describes include:
- damage to nearby teeth or tissues during placement, such as sinus perforation or jaw fracture
- a bite that doesn’t feel right, or a crown that feels loose or twists because an abutment screw loosened
- implant failure (looseness) from infection or delayed healing, which may be more likely with uncontrolled diabetes or smoking
- difficulty cleaning around the implant, and untreated gum disease
- numbness after surgery from nerve injury
The FDA says failure can mean another surgery to fix or replace the implant.
Questions to ask before you start
The FDA recommends discussing benefits, risks and whether you’re a candidate. It also suggests asking which brand and model of implant system is used and keeping that information for your records. You may also want to compare alternatives. See implants vs bridges vs dentures.
Caring for an implant
The FDA says to follow your dental provider’s hygiene instructions, because regularly cleaning the implant and surrounding teeth is very important for long-term success. Keep regular dental visits, and tell your provider right away if the implant feels loose or painful. Also tell health care providers and imaging technicians about your implants before any MRI or X-ray, since implants can distort images.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the whole process take?
It varies. The ADA says some people wait several months for the bone to heal around the implant, while others get teeth in the same visit.
Am I too old for implants?
The ADA says overall health is more of a factor than age.
What should I do if my implant feels loose?
Contact your dental provider right away, as the FDA advises.
Sources
By the Dentist Review Editorial Team.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to a licensed dentist about your own situation. See our disclaimer.
Featured image: “Dental implants (Unsplash)” by Peter Kasprzyk, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC0. Resized and compressed for the web.
Our guides are written and reviewed by the Dentist Review editorial team. We research each topic using public, authoritative sources such as the CDC, the National Institutes of Health (NIH/NIDCR), the American Dental Association (ADA) and CMS, and we update guides when guidance changes. Guides are for general information only and are not dental or medical advice; please read our disclaimer and learn more about us.