A dental implant is a titanium screw that supports a false tooth (or teeth) in the same way that roots hold natural teeth in place. They are placed directly into the jawbone in a minor surgical procedure that usually takes place in a dental surgery under a simple local anesthetic. In many cases, inserting an implant is even easier than tooth extraction and the patient can expect to feel only mild pain and discomfort for a few days after the treatment. Once the implant has been placed, new permanent false teeth are fitted in a separate procedure about 3 – 4 months later.