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 Simply Smiles Dentistry at 520-368-3351 for an appointment in our Tucson office.
Implant dentistry is growing in popularity. It is a restorative option for a single missing tooth, a section of missing teeth, or an entire row. This review discusses the implant dentistry procedure and when a dentist might recommend a dental crown attachment to complete the implant restoration. To make the most informed decision possible regarding…
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If you have opted for implant dentistry to replace your missing teeth, you will need to decide on fixed or removable restorations. Read on to learn about implant dentistry and your options. Removable implant-supported restorations can be snapped on and off the abutments anytime there is a need to take off. In contrast, fixed restorations…
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