Fill that gap or replace a damaged tooth
A dental implant is essentially a replacement tooth. It replaces a missing tooth or a missing tooth root. The implant, usually made from titanium, is a screw that is inserted under the gum and into the bone of the upper or lower jaw. After 2 to 4 months of recovery time, the implant and the bone will fuse together, creating an anchor for the new tooth.
Implants serve as a permanent solution for patients who have lost a tooth to decay or because of an accident. Implants look and function like natural teeth and decrease the possibility of bone loss, periodontal disease, tooth movement, and further tooth loss.
An implant serves as a replacement option for a bridge or a denture because the implant replaces only the tooth that is missing. A traditional bridge uses adjacent teeth as abutments to support the bridge with a false tooth in between, while a denture is used when more than a single has to be removed.
Maintaining an implant is no different than maintaining your natural teeth. It should be brushed and flossed regularly.