Dental implants are a permanent and appealing solution to replace missing or extracted teeth. They are better than other alternatives like bridges because no additional teeth need to be altered to place the new tooth.
The entire implant process is performed over the course of several months. The first part of the process is to install the implant itself, where a titanium post is placed into the jaw bone. Multiple implants can be placed at once if necessary.
The implant then is allowed about 3-6 months to heal, and during this time the jaw bone will form around the implant in a process called osseointegration. During this healing time you can have temporary crowns or bridges installed so that you can eat and speak normally and maintain a proper aesthetic appearance for your smile.
After the implant has healed it is time to place a replacement tooth on the implant. This process is similar to getting a crown on your tooth. Your smile will be restored, and after a short period of getting used to the implant it will feel just like one of your own teeth.