Dental Implants Explained: What to Expect

A dental implant replaces a missing tooth starting from the root: a small titanium post is placed into the jawbone, which fuses with the bone over time, and a custom crown is attached on top to look and function like a natural tooth.

It's a different approach from a bridge or denture, which sit on top of the gum or adjacent teeth rather than replacing the root itself — that's part of why implants tend to feel and behave closer to a natural tooth.

The full process happens in stages over a few months, since the implant needs time to properly integrate with the jawbone before the final crown is placed — it isn't a same-day fix in most cases.

Not everyone is a candidate right away — bone density and gum health both matter, which is why the process starts with an exam and imaging, not a booking straight to surgery.

For a chipped, cracked, or badly damaged tooth that isn't fully missing, an implant may or may not be the right call — that's exactly what the consultation is for.