A dental implant is becoming more and more the choice of people with a missing tooth or teeth. Dentures are O.K. for most people, but many others do not get on with them, so they either stay toothless or turn to other methods. The most popular type recommended by cosmetic dentists is the Endosteal Implant, it can take one tooth or several teeth in a line. Implants are made from Titanium and this is a hard wearing metal that due to them being iron free, are also infection resistant. The idea came out of research in Sweden in the 1950s, by the mid 60s the first plate (implant) was being fitted to a human. The technology is also used in medicine to mend multiple fractures and broken bones. To qualify for an implant you will need to pass certain tests, these are a series of x-rays and photos taken digitally to allow the dental surgeon to assess the strength and width of the jaw bone that the implant will be fixed to. Most of us have a good thick jaw bone and so not many will be refused the treatment. The results being positive, the surgeon will then start the treatment, this will involve cutting into the gum line and sliding the implant under the gum. This will be fixed in place using either self tapping screws or in rare cases an adapted plate with studs, called cylinders, attached. These are fitted in specially drilled holes in the jaw bone; they are kept there with surgical glue. Then the incision is stitched up and left to heal and for nature to take its course. The fusion of the bone to the implant will take anywhere between three and six months, once done though the implant will be part of the jaw bone, just as a real root would be. The incision is then opened again and one or more abutments are placed in position on the plate, these are poles of titanium that the teeth will sit on. Then the tooth will be made and fitted by sliding it down the abutment and gluing it in place. The patient needs to become familiar with it and re-invent their method of chewing food. The new teeth are ceramic and hard wearing, and they don`t need any special care, just normal brushing and flossing. The six monthly visits to the dentist for a check up will allow the dentist to keep it tartar free.