text: know anything about dental implants?   implants are a great option for replacing missing teeth.  a titanium "screw" is placed in your bone by an oral surgeon.  the surgeon covers the screw with your gum tissue to let it heal.  this screw heals for 3-6 months, depending which tooth is being replaced.  the bone integrates around the screw.  after it is healed, the screw is uncovered.  a dentist then bonds a "tooth" on the screw.  once it is complete, the implant functions and looks like a normal tooth.  you can eat and floss like normal.  most patients say the implant does not hurt being placed.