Implantology

A dental implant is an artificial replacement for an
absent tooth root (e.g. because the tooth had to
be extracted). The implant is made of tissue-
compatible titanium and, after a thorough exami-
nation, is inserted into the jaw in an operation
performed under local anaesthesia or, on request,
under general anaesthesia. After the incorporation
phase, during which the implant fuses with the bone
(“osseointegration”), the implant can be fitted with
a fixed tooth replacement such as a crown (to
replace an individual missing tooth) or a bridge (for
several missing teeth) or it can be used as anchor-
age for a removable tooth replacement such as a
denture (by means of stud attachments, a bar, etc.)
(see “Crown and bridgework” or “Partial and complete dentures”).