Regardless of the type used or the tooth being replaced, a dental implant consists of three basic parts. First, the screw is placed into your jawbone; this is the actual dental implant. Once this has healed after your surgery the whole point is to place a new tooth on that dental implant. Secondly, crafting a tooth so that it adheres to an implant involves what is known as an abutment. The abutment is screwed (or cemented) directly into the implant. Third, Now on top of your abutment sits your final crown or denture. This final crown or denture restores the look and function of the tooth or teeth to normal.