In implant dentistry, osseointegration refers to what?

• A. The functional and structural connection between living bone and the surface of a dental implant
• B. Aesthetic integration with surrounding soft tissue
• C. Attachment of implant to cementum
• D. Elastic recoil of the surrounding bone

Answer: (A)

Osseointegration is the direct, functional connection between living bone and the surface of a dental implant. This means bone tissue grows onto and adheres to the implant surface with no intervening fibrous tissue, providing a stable, load‑bearing interface. This direct bone‑implant contact is what allows the implant to behave like a natural part of the jaw under chewing forces. It is not about soft tissue aesthetics, nor about attaching to cementum, nor about a mechanical elastic recoil property of bone. Factors such as implant material and surface characteristics, surgical technique, and healing time influence how well this bone–implant connection forms and matures, which is why stable integration is typically assessed before loading the implant.