Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are inserted to replace missing natural teeth. Implants and their attached crowns closely mimic the look and function of real teeth. They can make an attractive alternative to dentures and bridges.
Dental implant techniques can replace one or several missing teeth. In some cases, an entire set of artificial teeth can be carried on dental implants.
A dental implant is the metal “root” (implant) that is inserted into the jaw. The artificial tooth (crown) is attached to the implant by use of an abutment. In some cases, instead of an artificial tooth, an implant can be fitted with special clips or attachments (similar to press-studs) to hold a denture. The studs will minimize movement of the denture.