What Are Dental Implants? The 3 Parts of an Implanted Tooth
For oral surgeons, dental implants are the preferred choice for tooth replacement. With their natural fit, full function and organically beautiful appearance, implanted teeth far surpass bridges and dentures in every way.
If dental implants are new to you, you might not realize why they’re the best tooth replacement option. To get a better understanding of how this method works, consider the three parts of an implanted tooth.
The Implant Post
Every implanted tooth has a titanium post, a screw-like fixture that acts as a replacement root. This part sits securely below the gumline, fusing with the jawbone to provide a solid, stable foundation. Once this fusion, or osseointegration, is complete, the post stays in position permanently.
The Implant Abutment
The abutment is a cylindrical titanium or ceramic component that connects the post of an implanted tooth to the dental crown. This crucial attachment part sits right around the gumline, but it isn’t visible once the tooth replacement is complete.
The Dental Crown
The implanted tooth component patients are typically most interested in is the crown — that’s the part you see. Oral surgeons design dental crowns to mimic the appearance of natural teeth, so as to blend seamlessly with the rest of the patient’s smile.
How are Dental Implants Placed?
If you picture the three parts of an implanted tooth securely connected, with the post fused to the jawbone, you can see why they fit, feel and function just like natural teeth.
But what does the process of getting an implanted tooth involve? Oral surgeons use two methods.
Standard Implant Placement
Typically recommended for patients who need bone grafting due to bone loss in the jaw, the standard procedure involves a series of steps. After the bone graft has healed, the implant post is put in place. Another period of healing follows, giving the titanium post a chance to fuse with the jawbone. Then, the abutment and dental crown are attached.
Altogether, the standard procedure for placing an implanted tooth takes between six and eight months.
Teeth-in-a-Day Dental Implants
As the name suggests, teeth-in-a-day implants are a same-day method of tooth replacement. The post, abutment and a temporary acrylic crown are put in position during a single office visit. One month later, the acrylic crown is removed and a permanent crown is attached in its place.
Unfortunately, teeth-in-a-day dental implants are only an option for patients with adequate jawbone density. If bone loss has occurred, oral surgeons follow the standard implant placement procedure.
Are you interested in getting dental implants? If you live in northern Utah and want expert tooth replacement, turn to the professional team at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Utah. Our board-certified oral surgeons, Dr. Partridge and Dr. Maxfield, can provide you with implanted teeth that are a perfect match to your smile.
With offices in Cottonwood Heights, South Jordan and Tooele, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Utah makes getting dental implants easy and convenient. Contact us and schedule a consultation today.
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