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.
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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 Aesthetic Dentistry of Noe Valley at 415-493-9143 for an appointment in our San Francisco office.
Dental implants are often referred to by implant dentists as artificial tooth roots. This is because they work in a similar fashion as natural tooth roots. Dental implants hold replacement teeth (i.e. dental crowns) in a stable and strong position.By learning more about dental implants, you can determine if implant dentistry is right for you…
Implant dentistry offers durable and natural-looking solutions for tooth loss. Read on to learn more about dental implant restorations. These titanium-based prosthetic tooth roots are implanted directly into the jawbone to offer a solid link to a dental prosthesis, such as crowns or a dental bridge. Dental implants can only be placed successfully if the…
Implant dentistry is a great way to replace one or multiple teeth long-term. An often overlooked benefit of implant dentistry is the ability to prevent bone loss in the jaw. This review discusses how implant dentistry can help you keep your jawbone healthy and prevent bone atrophy.Alternative solutions to implant dentistry do not provide the…
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