3 Parts of a Dental Implant
With dental implants, we can restore your smile's function and boost your self-confidence. But first, let's look at what a dental implant is.
1 - The Implant
The implant part of a dental implant is a small titanium screw that your dentist will surgically place in your jaw. This screw forms a stable 'root' or base, to which an artificial tooth is attached. Once the implant is placed, it will gradually integrate with your jaw bone to create a permanent base for your restoration.
2 - The Abutment
Once the implant has been placed and your jaw has healed, an abutment can be attached to the implant. An abutment is a small titanium or ceramic connector which will secure the dental implant to the restoration.
3 - The Restoration
Following the addition of the abutment, a restoration can now be attached. Depending on the number of teeth being replaced, your restoration could be a crown, bridge or denture.
Types of Restorations
Bridges & Crowns - If a single tooth is being replaced a dental crown will be used. Crowns are typically ceramic, or a mixture of metal and porcelain, and will be screwed or cemented to the abutment to create a natural-looking artificial tooth. To replace a number of teeth in a row, a dental bridge may be used. The artificial teeth in a dental bridge will be colour matched to your natural teeth to give your smile a natural appearance. Bridges are usually made from porcelain and are held securely in place by two implants.
Denture - When a patient is replacing a full jaw of teeth, an implant-supported denture can be used. Implant-supported dentures are typically made with either plastic or porcelain teeth attached to an acrylic base which is coloured to look like the natural gum line. These dentures are held securely in place by dental implants.