Implants to replace lost teeth are now more common. First, a titanium implant or screw-like device is put in as a replacement root, fusing with the jawbone and protruding above the gum line. An abutment covers the protruding part, and a crown is placed over that.
In the past, implants often failed. Now, the typical life of an implant is about 15 years or longer. About 95% of implants today are successful, according to the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.