An implant is a titanium screw that replaces the root of a missing tooth. Position is set with 3D imaging, not by exam alone. If bone is thin, a graft or sinus lift is planned first.
A single-tooth implant does not cut neighbouring teeth. When several teeth are missing, All-on-4 or a bridge is compared on the same scan.
After surgery, the prosthetic calendar is personal. A temporary tooth can be fitted the same day in some cases; the final restoration is made after healing.