Are you missing a tooth that you are looking to have fixed? If so, you may be considering a dental implant to fix the missing tooth permanently. If you are unfamiliar with dental implants, you are most likely unaware that a dental implant is actually three different parts, even though it is often referred to as a singular entity. Here is what you need to know about what makes up a dental implant.
The Post
The most important part of the whole procedure is installing the post. This is the metal rod that is installed directly into your jawbone, which gives the structure support it needs to replicate an actual tooth. The rod ends up integrating with the jawbone, which is how it has enough strength to chew on food and not move within your mouth.
Sometimes a bone graft will be required to install the post if the existing jawbone is not strong enough, or has become weak due to gum disease or deterioration in old age. It will take several months for the surgical area to completely heal around the post.
The Abutment
The post itself is not enough for the dental implant to work. Once the post has fully integrated, it requires a special piece to be installed on top of it call the abutment. This is the piece that allows the post to connect to the dental crown, so you never actually see this piece when the whole implant is put together.
The abutment will screw into the dental implant titanium post, rather than be a part of the actual post as one singular piece. This is so that if the abutment fails, the titanium post in your jawbone can remain in place. All you will need to do is return to your dentist to fix the abutment.
The Crown
The crown will be the only part you can see when you have a dental implant. They attach in one of two ways. In some situations, the crown is attached by screwing into the abutment. This makes it easy to remove the crown if it needs to be repaired, and provides strength so that it will not easily come off.
The crown can also be cemented onto the abutment. This is done if the patient is worried about the screw being noticeable, though the cement can make it more difficult to replace the crown if it becomes damaged.
For questions about any of these three parts, ask your dentist during your consultation.
Share15 March 2018
