A dental implant is an artificial tooth root replacement and is used in prosthetic dentistry. There are several types. The most widely accepted and successful is the osseointegrated implant, based on the discovery by Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark that titanium could be successfully incorporated into bone when osteoblasts (Bone-forming cells) grow on and into the rough surface of the implanted titanium.


 A typical implant consists of a titanium screw, with a roughened surface. This surface is treated either by plasma spraying, etching or sandblasting to increase the integration potential of the implant. At edentulous (without teeth) jaw sites, a pilot hole is bored into the recipient bone, taking care to avoid vital structures (in particular the inferior alveolar nerve within the mandible). Bone replacement procedures may also be necessary in case of lack of adequately thick bone, which could hold the implant.

Dental implant success is related to operator skill, quality and quantity of the bone available at the site, and also to the patient's oral hygiene. Various studies have found the 5 year success rate of implants to be between 75-95%. Patients who smoke experience significantly poorer success rates.


There are no absolute contraindications to implant dentistry, however there are some systemic, behavioral and anatomic considerations that should be considered. Your dentist will inform you about those limitations if present, based upon a full examination of your condition.