Final answer:
Osseointegration is the biological process by which jawbone tissue grows around and integrates with a dental implant, primarily involving osteoblasts that form new bone and osteocytes that maintain the bone matrix.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process by which the living jawbone naturally grows around a dental implant and integrates with it is known as osseointegration. This biological process involves the bone tissue attaching to the surface of the implant, creating a strong and stable foundation for the artificial tooth. Key cells in this process include osteoblasts, which are responsible for forming new bone, and osteocytes, mature bone cells that maintain the bone matrix.
Osteoblasts secrete an uncalcified bone matrix known as osteoid that eventually calcifies and integrates with the implant. This connection between bone tissue and implant is critical, as it allows for the load of chewing to be effectively transferred to the jawbone, simulating the function of a natural tooth's root. The success of dental implants heavily depends on the osseointegration process, which can take several months to complete as new bone tissue forms around the implant.