What an Implant Actually Is
A dental implant is a small titanium post placed in the jawbone, where it acts as an artificial tooth root. Titanium is biocompatible, so the body accepts it and the bone grows firmly around it.
Once it has fused with the bone, a custom crown is fixed on top. The result looks, feels and works like a natural tooth.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Many adults who have lost a tooth may be candidates for an implant. What matters most is healthy gums and enough bone to hold the post.
Smoking and poorly controlled diabetes can slow healing, so tell your dentist about your health and habits at the first consultation.
Planning Your Implant
Treatment begins with an examination and imaging, often a 3D scan that shows the height, width and density of your bone. This helps the dentist plan the implant position carefully.
If there isn't enough bone, a bone graft can rebuild it first.
The Timeline
Treatment usually happens in stages:
- The consultation and imaging.
- Placement of the implant.
- A healing period while the bone fuses with the post, commonly three to six months.
- Fitting the final crown.
The exact timeline depends on your bone and on how many implants you need.
Is It Painful?
The procedure is done under local anesthesia, so most patients feel pressure rather than pain. Mild soreness and some swelling for a few days afterwards are normal, and ordinary pain relief manages them.
Caring for Your Implant
An implant can't get a cavity, but the gum and bone around it still need care. Inflammation of the tissues around an implant can threaten its long-term health. Good oral hygiene and regular professional reviews help reduce that risk.
Brush twice a day, clean around the implant with floss or an interdental brush, and keep your checkups. With good care, implants can function for many years. At JokaDent, each implant placement is backed by the clinic's lifetime guarantee, subject to its applicable terms.
