If you are considering implant dentistry or are about to go through the process and want to learn more about it, it is helpful to first understand the basics. Here, we will discuss the various parts that make up an implant dentistry restoration and highlight how they all work together to complete the restoration.
An implant dentistry restoration consists of a dental implant, dental abutment, and a restoration (crown, bridge, or denture). All three of these components are essential to complete the restoration. The following is everything to know about each part that is used in the procedure, their role, and when they are placed throughout the process.
The dental implant is what separates implant dentistry restorations from alternative (and more traditional) solutions. The implant is a screw-like metal post that is fixed into the jawbone, serving as the support and root for the replacement tooth. Implants go through a process known as osseointegration with the jaw, which involves the bone and the implant fusing together. It is placed during a scheduled surgery and is one of the first steps of the implant dentistry restoration process.
A dental abutment is a connector piece for the implant and dental restoration. It is also a screw-like piece that attaches to the dental implant. Abutments can be made of different materials, but they are most commonly made of titanium (the same as an implant). The abutment is an important piece to ensure strong support for the replacement tooth (or teeth). An abutment is attached to each dental implant, so multiple abutment attachments are required for a bridge or denture. Abutments are placed after the mouth heals from dental implant placement surgery.
The last part that is used in the implant dentistry procedure is the dental restoration. A restoration would be a crown, bridge, or denture, depending on the number of teeth that are being replaced. For single tooth replacement, a crown is used, whereas a bridge (partial denture) or complete denture is used for replacing multiple missing teeth. These restorations are typically made of ceramic and have an identical appearance to natural teeth.
A bone graft procedure is sometimes required before the placement of dental implants particularly if the patient has experienced bone loss due to bone atrophy following tooth loss or as a result of periodontal disease. This helps build the jawbone to ensure an adequate level of support for dental implants.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Implant Dentist in Fort Lauderdale, FL
If you are not entirely happy with your smile due to a missing tooth (or multiple missing teeth), then you may benefit by visiting an implant dentist and learning more about your tooth replacement treatment options with implant dentistry. Do not hesitate to contact us by giving us a call today if you have questions or are ready to schedule a visit.
Request an appointment or call Smiles By Julia at 954-271-8034 for an appointment in our Fort Lauderdale office.
The tooth replacement process and timeline may vary for each patient based upon the specific steps that are needed to complete the restoration. The best way to determine the timeline for treatment is to visit an implant dentist. However, there is a tentative estimation for how long each step might take, which is discussed in…
Implant dentistry offers a tooth replacement solution that looks and feels natural. This is due in large part to the implant, which fuses together with the jawbone and serves as the support and root of the replacement tooth. This review discusses the unique benefits of choosing implant dentistry to replace a missing tooth.The most notable…
Implant dentistry uses dental implants to serve as the support for replacement teeth. The process involves a minor surgical procedure to place the implants. Although the risks are minimal, it can take some time for the mouth to fully heal and for the dental implants to fuse together with the jawbone after the implant dentistry…