dental implant, a plastic or metal anchor that is inserted into a jawbone to provide permanent support for a crown, fixed bridge, or denture when the bone itself would provide insufficient support. About 8 weeks after a tooth or teeth are removed, the anchor is screwed into a hole that has been drilled into the jaw. The gingiva is closed over the implant site, which allows the area to remain sterile, and new bone is allowed to grow around and fuse with the anchor for up to 6 months before the crown, bridge, or denture is attached. This is also called a delayed load implant. Immediate load dental implants allow placement of a dental restoration or denture at the time of insertion of the dental implant.
