Abstract: A dental implant includes a porous ceramic cup or ring filled with silicone rubber which supports an artificial tooth or other prosthetic device such as a denture. The jawbone grows into the porous ceramic to hold the implant firmly in place. The silicone rubber cushions the jawbone from shock caused by multidirectional masticatory forces. A fibrous matting is partially embedded into the upper periphery of the silicone rubber that extends from the ceramic cup or ring. Gingival tissue becomes attached to the matting to form a seal that precludes bacteria from invading and infecting the implant area. In another embodiment, the implant includes a metal sleeve completely filled with and surrounded by silicone rubber. Fibrous matting is partially embedded into the surface of the silicone rubber. Both the jawbone and the gingival tissue adhere to the matting to hold the implant firmly in place and to prevent bacterial invasion.