A root-analogue dental implant (RAI) – also known as a truly anatomic dental implant, or an anatomical/custom implant – is a medical device to replace one or more roots of a single tooth immediately after extraction.[1] In contrast to common titanium screw type implants, these implants are custom-made to exactly match the extraction socket of the specific patient. Thus there is usually no need for surgery.[2]
As the root analogue dental implant matches the dental alveolus (tooth socket) it can only be placed immediately after the tooth extraction. If the tooth has been already lost and the soft and hard tissue is already healed, an RAI can no longer be placed.[1]
The basic principle of endosseous implants is a biological process described as osseointegration, in which materials such as titanium or ceramic form an intimate bond to bone.[3][4] There are no particular differences between the osseointegration of a root analogue implant and a conventional screw type implant.