The Dental Implant
A dental implant is a piece made of titanium or a titanium alloy that replaces the root of an extracted tooth. Each implant is placed in a surgically prepared socket, in the precise location of the desired tooth, and becomes a robust base for supporting one or more artificial teeth, called crowns. Dental implants are the best state-of-the-art alternative to natural teeth, offering a permanent, safe solution for replacing one or more teeth. A connector — known as an abutment — is placed on top of the implant to support the crowns, which are made to match the natural teeth. Used successfully for over 30 years, implants let the new teeth feel, look, and function naturally, while also reducing the accelerated resorption of the alveolar ridge.

Are dental implants safe?
Dental implants, used for half a century, are safe and effective. As with any medical procedure, complications can occur, but choosing a well-trained surgeon minimizes them and ensures any issues are handled skillfully. It is important that we review your medical history together, along with habits that could affect the outcome, such as smoking, so you are fully informed about the benefits and risks.
Can my child receive dental implants?
Yes, implants are an excellent long-term solution for children who have lost permanent teeth through injury or an accident. It is advisable to consult a specialist as soon as possible after the loss. In most cases, however, the dentist will wait until facial growth and development are complete — generally around age 16 for girls and 18 for boys.
How do I care for my dental implants?
Well-placed, well-maintained implants have the potential to last for decades. Caring for teeth restored with implants is exactly like caring for natural teeth: brush, floss, and visit the dentist for regular cleanings and check-ups.
Procedures that may accompany implants
If the jawbone cannot support the implants, several techniques can rebuild the bone, restore the natural jaw line, and provide a solid base for implant-supported teeth.
- Bone augmentation — restoring or regenerating the jawbone when there is not enough volume, using regenerative materials, artificial bone, and collagen membranes from established manufacturers
- Sinus lift (sinus augmentation) — adding bone beneath the sinus membrane when the natural bone has deteriorated due to missing upper back teeth
- Ridge expansion / ridge split — adding bone graft when the jaw is not wide enough to support the implants
How implant placement works
Placing a dental implant usually involves five stages, and the whole process can take between four and nine months depending on the number and type of implants.
- Initial consultation — a full assessment of the mouth, teeth, and gums, including X-rays or 3D imaging, and a personalized treatment plan
- Implant placement — Dr. Stefanescu inserts the implant under local anesthesia; post-op discomfort is usually manageable with common medication
- Osseointegration — the implant integrates with the bone over 3–6 months, during which you follow a soft-food diet in the first weeks
- Prosthetic phase — placing the abutment and fixing the prosthetic work, made as aesthetic and functional as possible
- Regular check-ups — follow-up visits to monitor the implant and the replacement teeth
More articles

Tooth Extractions
Opens a new pageFrom wisdom teeth to impacted teeth — expertise in dento-alveolar surgery for both simple and complex extractions.

The Biopsy
Opens a new pageA simple procedure under local anesthesia, in which a small piece of tissue is examined under the microscope to reach a clear diagnosis.

Gum Recession
Opens a new pageTeeth looking longer or becoming sensitive? It may be gum recession. Soft-tissue grafting can restore the gum and protect exposed roots.

Aesthetic and Functional Crown Lengthening
Opens a new pageA procedure that adjusts the gum and bone around a tooth for a harmonious smile, or to prepare a tooth for a restoration.

Piezoelectric Surgery
Opens a new pageA non-traumatic way to cut bone with ultrasound: more precise, safer, and with faster healing than conventional methods.

Digital Dentistry
Opens a new pageDigital scanning and real-time fabrication replace physical impressions: faster, more precise, and more comfortable for the patient.

Laser Dentistry
Opens a new pageAdvanced care for periodontal and soft-tissue health: a gentler, more precise approach with faster recovery.

Orthodontics and Periodontal Disease — Can You Wear Braces?
Opens a new pageHave periodontal disease and thinking about braces? The answer is yes — as long as the disease is stabilized and closely monitored.

How Diabetes Affects Your Gums
Opens a new pageDiabetes and gum disease influence each other. Here is the two-way link and how to protect your gums.