Dental Implants From Pinnacle Dental There are various reasons a dental patient has lost a tooth or will need a tooth removed. Regardless of the reason the end result is a missing tooth. And it becomes a cosmetic issue as well as a functional issue. Dental implants offer a number of advantages that makes them a superior tooth replacement option. They look and function like natural teeth and they have a long lifespan that averages about 25 years. There are three parts that comprise a dental implant, known as the implant, abutment, and crown. The implant is usually made of titanium and it is surgically implanted into the jaw bone. The abutment is screwed onto the implant, is above the jawbone, and holds the crown in place. The crown is usually made of ceramic and resembles a natural tooth. The crown is attached to the abutment.