What are dental implants (osseointegrated tooth implants)?
The most common type of tooth implant (dental implant) that is placed today is the “endosseous root form implant.” These objects are cylindrical or screw shaped devices that are positioned into a person’s jawbone. In essence, a dental implant acts as an “artificial root” on top of which a dental crown or one end of dental bridgework can be secured. The term “endosseous” refers to the fact that the implant is embedded in the jawbone and penetrates through the gum tissue. The term “root form” refers to the fact that this type of implant is somewhat similar in shape as the root of a natural tooth. (This isn’t precisely accurate in the sense that some teeth have multiple roots.) Root form endosseous tooth implants are also described as “osseointegrated (osteointegrated) implants.” The term osseointegration refers to the fact that there is a direct fixed connection between the dental implant and living bone. (More precisely, the bone is in direct contact with an implant with no Intervening
