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An implant is a stable replacement for a missing natural tooth. It is constructed of a metal cylinder with its base attached to the jawbone and its crown attached to make a natural-looking porcelain tooth. Over several months, the implant fuses with the jawbone, creating a strong, long-lasting tooth replacement that is hard to distinguish from your natural teeth. In the case of an ill-fitting denture or no teeth at all, two to four implants are placed in the bone. After the bone heals around the implant, an over denture is constructed, which fits over the implants almost as solidly as natural teeth.
Dr. Heck and her staff work closely with a periodontist (a gum surgeon), who places the implants, while Dr. Heck does the restorative crown, bridge or dentures over the implant.
You can view an animation of this procedure in our Dental Wizard.

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