Dental implants are created by putting a titanium implant into the jaw and connecting a ceramic crown once the jaw has fused the implant. Once this occurs, the dental implant is secured in place.
A wide variety of techniques can be utilized depending on the state of the implant site. One quick method can be completed in one single day, and can be done if the tooth is replaced in a healthy gum over good bone. Grafting or growing new bone is considered very complex and can take up to half a year or longer to do.
If a tooth needs to be extracted because it is decayed or damaged, as long as the surrounding gum is not damaged, the dental implant may be installed the same time as when the broken tooth is removed. This procedure will typically include a temporary crown and later replaced with a permanent crown once the bone fusion is complete. While heeling, it may be best to avoid certain foods after the dental implant has been installed.
Common dental implants occur through a process of stages. An implant is installed to the jaw bone and will need to fuse for roughly 3-6 months. Once this stage is complete, a post, known as an abutment, is put in the implant. Then the casts are removed off of the teeth and a crown made to match the existing tooth is adhered to the abutment.