A dental implant can replace one or more missing teeth. The process consists of three stages and is spread over a three to six month period. 

1. The initial stage involves a titanium post being precisely placed into the jawbone and then allowed to heal and to integrate into the surrounding bone.  This stage is served by a gum specialist (periodontist) or an oral surgeon.
2. After a few months wait for healing to occur, your dentist will take impressions of the implant fixture in the gum and the dental laboratory makes a ceramic crown.
3. The ceramic crown is attached onto the implant to fill the gap and replace the natural tooth. You then have one of the longest lasting and strongest replacements for natural teeth that have been yet devised. The resulting implant is permanently, securely attached, easy to clean and unlike a bridge or denture, it does not cause any damage to the surrounding teeth. Most patients report that the procedure is more comfortable and easier for them than they expected and afterwards they can treat the implant just like a natural tooth. Dental implants have the highest long term success rate of any tooth replacement option currently available are now a very common service procedure at Barossa Dental.