If you have ever really taken the time to take a good look at a dental implant, you will have probably noticed that it looks very much like one of your natural teeth. This is because dental implants are made specifically to take the place of your lost teeth, whereas other restoration methods are structured to fill empty spaces by sitting a replacement in that spot. By providing a treatment that perfectly replicates your natural teeth, we are able to replace our patients’ missing teeth with restorations that work and feel just like any other tooth. Today, Dr. Craig S. Donn is blogging from Cherry Hill and Camden County, NJ to give an overview of the parts that make up a dental implant.
Know What Makes Up your Dental Implant
While there are some dental implants that come in two pieces, the most common form of an implant is made up of three. These three parts include:
The Implant Fixture
The implant fixture is modeled to replicate your natural tooth roots, and accomplish the same results. During the implant procedure, the implant fixture is placed in the empty spot left behind by your missing tooth. Through a process called osseointegration, the implant fixture is accepted by your jawbone and gums as a natural part of your oral anatomy. This process is only possible because the implant fixture is made from titanium, which is a metal that the body doesn’t recognize as a foreign material.
The Abutment
The abutment is the next part of the implant to be placed, and serves to connect the replacement crown to the implant fixture. The abutment is commonly attached to the implant fixture once it has had enough time to heal. However, there are some situations where the abutment can actually be placed directly after the implant procedure. Much like the implant fixture, the abutment is typically also made from titanium.
The Restoration Crown
The last part of the dental implant to be placed, the restoration crown is the part that will take the place of your missing tooth. What makes our crowns special is the fact that we custom make them for every patient based on scans we take of their remaining natural teeth. By doing so, we are able to provide our patients will beautiful replacement teeth that fit in perfectly among their natural teeth. In fact, once they are in place, no one will be able to even tell the difference between your artificial and natural teeth.
Call and Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Donn
As you can see, every piece used to make up a dental implant works together to provide our patients with the best possible replacements for their missing teeth. Only dental implants can provide our patients with permanent, beautiful restorations that function and feel just like natural teeth. If you would like to learn more about the pieces that make up a dental implant or about the process itself, we recommend you contact us and schedule a no-obligation consultation with dental implant provider, Dr. Craig S. Donn, today.