Dental Implant Parts
Dental implants vary, depending on many factors. However, all dental implants are made up of three different parts. These parts are the body, the abutment, and the crown or bridge. The body of the implant itself is usually made of titanium, which is a durable, biocompatible metal that is very rarely rejected by the human body and which has a high likelihood of integration into the bone over the longer term. Abutments and bridges are made from different materials depending on their intended function, their location in the mouth, and the budget and needs of the patient. Because the implant body rests flush with the top of the jawbone, under the gumline, an extender must be placed on the tooth so that the crown or bridge can attach to something. This extender, called an abutment, is a small screw that extends above the gumline and supports the replacement tooth or teeth. Depending on the needs of the patient and the intended function of the tooth, this abutment can be made from metal, or from a ceramic material that matches the prosthetic tooth or teeth. Sometimes, the abutment is separate from the prosthesis, and sometimes it is built into the replacement tooth itself. The third part of the dental implant is the prosthesis. The prosthesis is the artificial tooth itself, and it can be either screwed or cemented to the abutment. Dental prosthetics are usually made of some form of ceramic or porcelain, allowing them to resemble natural teeth in color and luminosity.
Dental implants are surgically implanted into the jawbone, under the gum, where teeth are missing. After the dentist makes a small incision into the gum, a hole is then drilled into the jawbone; the implant body is placed into this hole. Implants are cylindrical and usually look like screws. The gums are sutured over the surgical site, and the bone and gums are given time to heal. While healing, the bone and implant fuse together, providing a strong platform to support the dental prosthesis. This process is called “osseointegration.” Once the implant has integrated with the bone, the incision in the gum is opened again, and an abutment is attached to the implant body. This abutment may be screwed onto the implant body, or it may be cemented onto the implant body. The abutment serves to connect the prosthetic tooth, or crown, to the implant body. To allow the mouth to fully and properly heal while maintaining the function of the teeth, a temporary crown may be attached to the abutment at this point in the restoration process.
After the abutment has fully healed, the permanent crown or bridge will be fitted, completing the dental restoration. This process may take up to a year, depending on the complexity of the procedure. Dental implants are a worthy investment, however, as they are a permanent restoration that can last the entire life of the patient when cared for properly. Implants stimulate the bone and the gums, helping maintain the structure of the jaw while also providing an attractive, natural, and functional replacement for a natural tooth.