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How do dental implants help replace teeth that have been lost?

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Dentistry — dentistry The practice of dentistry involves preventing, diagnosing, and treating oral disease, as well as correcting deformities of the jaws, teeth, and oral cavity.

Dental implants function as artificial tooth roots that anchor replacement teeth directly into the jawbone.1

The process involves surgically placing a biocompatible titanium fixture into the bone. Because titanium bonds to human bone, the implant provides a stable foundation similar to a natural root. Once the bone has healed around the implant—a process that can take several months—an artificial tooth is attached to the portion of the fixture projecting above the gum line.21

This method is particularly effective for individuals who cannot wear traditional dentures due to jawbone resorption. Depending on the extent of tooth loss, a single implant can replace one tooth, while four to eight implants may be used to support a full set of replacement teeth. Before the procedure, a dentist must ensure there is an adequate amount of healthy, infection-free bone to support the implant; if necessary, surgical procedures like bone augmentation may be performed first.21