Dental implants,
explained in full.

A dental implant is a small, screw-shaped post — almost always made of medical-grade titanium, occasionally zirconia — that a surgeon places into your jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. Over the following weeks the bone grows tightly around its surface in a process called osseointegration, anchoring the implant as firmly as a natural root. A connector called an abutment is then fitted, and a custom crown, bridge or denture is secured on top.

Unlike a bridge, an implant does not rely on grinding down neighbouring teeth, and unlike a removable denture it does not slip, click or cover the roof of your mouth. Because the implant transmits chewing forces directly into the jaw, it also helps preserve the bone that otherwise shrinks away after tooth loss. This is why implants are widely regarded as the closest thing modern dentistry offers to a real tooth — and why this guide treats them as the reference standard for replacing missing teeth.

Are you a candidate?

Most healthy adults with one or more missing teeth qualify. The essentials are enough jawbone to hold the implant, healthy gums, and good general health. Heavy smoking, uncontrolled diabetes and certain medications can slow healing, while bone loss can usually be corrected with a graft or sinus lift, or sidestepped with zygomatic or angled implants. A proper assessment — including a CBCT scan — is the only way to know for certain. Reputable clinics, including Taki Dent in Antalya, offer this assessment free and remotely before you travel.