Dentists, periodontists and oral surgeons spend a lot of time studying dental implants, but it isn’t a subject that comes up in most people’s conversations. A dental implant is a restorative treatment that replaces a missing tooth. Armed with some basics facts and important vocabulary words, you will have the inside track when it comes to discussing dental implants, and considering them as an option should you find yourself dealing with a missing or severely damaged tooth.
The Parts of a Dental Implant (Replacing One Tooth)
All dental implants will have a post (usually titanium) that is implanted by periodontist or oral surgeon into the jaw, and an abutment, which holds the prosthetic tooth (also called a crown).
The Parts of a Dental Implant (Replacing More Than One Tooth)
Sometimes there are two or more adjacent teeth missing. A dental bridge can fill in for the missing teeth. In this case, we will determine how many implant posts are needed to hold the bridge. Just as with a single implant, there will be a post placed in the jaw, and an abutment atop the post. Two posts may be able to hold a bridge of two or three teeth. We will discuss your specific situation during your consultation appointment, or during a checkup if we discover there may be a need for an implant, to make sure your questions are answered.
Vocabulary Words:
You may hear some of the following words used in discussing implants:
Osseointegration: This is the process by which the cells in the jaw adhere to the titanium post, and integrate it into the jaw bone structure. Osseointegration is what makes an implant so stable.
Biocompatible: The quality of titanium that allows it to be incorporated into the jaw bone, rather than rejected by the body as a foreign object
Prosthetic tooth: a prosthetic is an man-made replacement body part, and in the case of a dental implant, it refers to the tooth or teeth that will be fill the visible gap from a missing tooth. A dental lab will create your prosthetic tooth or bridge from impressions of your natural teeth. The color will be matched to the color of adjacent teeth, making the implant blend in with the teeth that surround it.
ABOUT YOUR ANKENY DENTIST:
Since 2006, Dr. Amanda Foust has proudly treated families in Ankeny, Alleman, Elkhart, Bondurant, and all surrounding communities. To learn more, schedule an appointment with your Ankeny, IA dentist today. You can reach Dental Impressions by calling (515) 965-0230.
