Understanding The Parts Of A Dental Implant
Dental implants are a great way to replace your missing teeth because they are durable and look amazing. They can be used to replace one missing tooth or a full set of missing teeth. If you would like to know more, keep reading to learn about the various parts of a dental implant.
The Titanium Implant
The titanium implant is the reason implants are so desirable. They mimic natural tooth roots and use the jawbone for support. This makes them durable, but it also means they don't rely on healthy teeth for support like traditional dental bridges. With a traditional dental bridge, the dentist must file down healthy anchor teeth to bond the bridge to the healthy teeth.
Titanium also has a special property that allows bone to fuse to it. This is why it is commonly used in implants, including dental implants. As the bone fuses and hardens, it creates a solid hold, so the implant can withstand pressure and grinding. In turn, this prevents the jawbone from shrinking, which is a common problem associated with tooth loss and dentures.
With good care, the implant may last the rest of your life. You need to continue to monitor your gum health as you can develop periimplantitis, or gum disease around the implant. This drastically increases the risk of failure, and it exposes the titanium implant.
The Abutment
After the dentist places the implant, they let the area fully heal. In fact, the gum tissue even regrows and fully covers the implant. However, once the area is healed, the dentist makes an incision and places a small abutment, which is designed to hold the dental crown.
The Crown/Bridge/Denture Plate
Finally, the dentist attaches the crown to the abutment, finishing the artificial tooth. Made from porcelain, the crown is strong and attractive. In most cases, about 50 to 80 percent of crowns need to be replaced in 15 to 20 years.
If you have multiple missing teeth, your dentist can attach a bridge to the implants to fill in more teeth at once. This is much cheaper than multiple single implants, and it's more durable than traditional dental bridges.
Finally, dental implants can be used to support a denture plate. Like regular dentures, you remove them for cleaning and to reduce irritation. However, unlike traditional dentures, they snap and secure onto the implants, eliminating many of the complaints associated with dentures like slipping dentures.
If you have missing teeth, consider a dental implant. They often last the rest of your life, and they prevent jawbone atrophy. If you would like to know more about dental implants, contact a dentist in your area today.