Overview
This guide explains what dental implants are, how the dental implant procedure works, and who is a good candidate. It is written for patients weighing options to replace missing teeth.
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root, usually made of titanium, that is placed into the jawbone. Once it heals, it holds a dental crown, a bridge, or a denture. Unlike a removable plate, a dental implant stays fixed in the mouth and works much like a natural tooth.
Implants dental care often involves a team. An oral and maxillofacial surgery specialist or periodontist may place the implant body, while a prosthodontist designs and attaches the artificial tooth. You can learn more about this field on the prosthodontics page. The goal is to restore both chewing function and the look of natural teeth.
Key Information About Dental Implants
A dental implant has three parts: the implant body placed in the bone, an abutment that connects to it, and the artificial tooth on top. Together they replace one tooth or several missing teeth.
Types of Dental Implants
The endosteal implant is the most common type. An endosteal implant is a screw-shaped post placed directly into the jawbone, and most healthy patients with enough bone are candidates [6]. After the bone heals around it, the endosteal implant becomes a stable base for a dental crown or other restoration.
When there is not enough natural bone and a patient cannot have a bone graft, a different design may rest on top of the bone instead. Your specialist will recommend the implant type based on your jaw, your dental health, and how many new teeth you need.
What Dental Implants Can Replace
A single tooth dental implant uses one post and one dental crown to fill a single gap without touching the neighboring natural teeth. This protects the healthy teeth on either side.
For people missing several or all of their teeth, full mouth dental implants can support a fixed bridge or a removable overdenture. For the lower jaw, two implants can retain an overdenture, an approach studied in randomized controlled trials that compared different attachment systems [3]. The benefits of dental implants here include a more stable bite and less slipping than a traditional denture.
What to Know Before Implant Surgery
Most healthy adults with fully grown jaws can consider implant surgery. Good candidates have enough bone, healthy gums, and habits that support healing.
Age alone rarely rules out a dental implant. Dentists usually wait until the jaw has finished growing, often the late teens, before placing an implant. There is no firm upper age limit, so many older adults receive implants to replace missing teeth.
Your overall dental health matters. Gum disease should be treated first, because the same bacteria can trigger peri-implant disease later [1]. Smoking and uncontrolled blood sugar can slow healing. A systematic review on diabetes and dental implants found that implants can succeed in people with diabetes, especially when blood sugar is well managed [2].
Before any implant procedure, your specialist reviews your medical history, takes 3D scans, and checks the amount of bone. Some patients need a bone graft or a tooth removed first. This planning step sets up the dental implant surgery for success.
What to Expect During the Dental Implant Procedure
The dental implant procedure usually happens in stages over several months. Each visit is focused, and most patients return to normal activity within a day or two of surgery.
First comes planning. Your specialist takes scans and impressions and maps where the implant body will go. If a damaged tooth is still in place, it may be removed, and a bone graft may be added if needed. Healing from a graft can take a few months.
The Implant Surgery Visit
During dental implant surgery, the area is numbed with local anesthesia. The surgeon opens the gum, prepares a small channel in the bone, and places the endosteal implant. The gum is then closed with stitches. Many patients describe the implant surgery as easier than expected, with soreness similar to a tooth extraction.
Next is healing, called osseointegration. Over several months the jawbone grows tightly around the implant body and locks it in place. This is what makes a dental implant so stable.
Adding the New Tooth
Once the implant has fused, your specialist attaches the abutment and then the artificial tooth. For a single gap this is usually a custom dental crown shaped and colored to match your natural teeth.
Your dentist checks your bite and confirms the new teeth feel comfortable. Long-term follow-up uses clinical and X-ray measures to track how the implant is performing over time [5]. With good home care and regular checkups, a dental implant can last many years.
Cost Factors for Dental Implants
Dental implant cost depends on how many implants you need, whether you need a bone graft, the type of artificial tooth, and where you live. A single tooth dental implant costs less than full mouth dental implants.
Costs vary by location, provider, and case complexity. A single dental implant with its crown is often quoted in a range of roughly $3,000 to $6,000, while full-arch options cost much more. Ask each provider for a written treatment plan that lists the surgery, the abutment, and the dental crown separately.
Dental insurance coverage for implants varies widely. Some plans cover part of the restoration but not the implant surgery, and others exclude implants entirely. Medical insurance may help if tooth loss followed an injury. Check your benefits before treatment, and ask whether the office offers payment plans. General cost and coverage questions are also covered in patient resources from the American Dental Association [7].
When to See a Specialist
See a specialist when you are replacing missing teeth, when bone or gum health is in question, or when an existing implant feels loose or the gum around it is swollen or bleeding.
A general dentist can place straightforward implants, but complex cases often need a prosthodontist, a periodontist, or an oral and maxillofacial surgery specialist. Refer to a specialist when there is limited bone, when several teeth or a full arch must be replaced, or when past gum disease raises the risk of peri-implant disease [1].
Specialist care also helps when an implant has already failed. A systematic review found that placing a new implant at a site of earlier failure can succeed, though results vary by patient and case [4]. If you notice pain, looseness, or gum changes around a dental implant, see a specialist promptly. Early treatment of peri-implant infection gives the best chance to save the implant [1].
Find a Prosthodontist Near You
Ready to replace missing teeth with a dental implant? A prosthodontist can review your case, explain the dental implant procedure, and outline costs before you decide. Use our directory to find a qualified specialist near you, and learn more about training and treatments on the prosthodontics page. You can also explore patient resources from the American College of Prosthodontists [6].
Search Prosthodontists in Your Area
