Dental implants are surgical fixtures placed into the jawbone as away of replacing missing teeth. The implant is typically a screw made of titanium. This screw is meant to stay in the jawline permanently. A dental crown or bridge is place over top the fixture so that the implant feels and looks like a normal tooth. The implant acts like a fake tooth root and is the foundation where a crown or bridge can be attached securely. Over a period of months the screw will fuse with the jawbone (called osseointegration) and mimic a real tooth. The entire process of osseointegration can take months and during this time, you may be given a temporary crown or bridge so that the area is protected. Once osseointegration is complete and a permanent crown or bridge is installed, the dental implant is stable and can last a lifetime.