When embedding implants, an oral surgeon takes great care to place the implant as precise as possible. Moreover, dental implants are quite small. This means that implants can fit in empty tooth sockets without affecting adjacent teeth.
Restorations are attached to dental implants to complete the tooth replacement process after the dental implant has become stabilized in the jaw. The restoration, a dental crown, is custom made in a dental laboratory to ensure that it fits perfectly between teeth and in the mouth. The dental crown will be shaped and sized just right so that it perfectly complements a person’s oral anatomy. The restoration will not negatively affect neighboring biological teeth. A dental implant and its restoration, however, will help keep natural teeth in upright, healthy positions.
What does a dental implant look like?
A dental implant is a cylinder with a tapered end. It has a ridged texture. Many people liken the appearance of a dental implant to a screw because of its texture and shape. The wider end of a dental implant features an abutment, which is used to hold restorations and prosthetics. Dental implants are embedded into the jaw, narrow end first. As it is loaded into the bone, the abutment will jut slightly out of the gingiva so that a dentist can attach and replace restorations as necessary in the future.
What are dental implants made from?
Dental implants are constructed from titanium. This metal is ideal for replacing lost, mineralized tissue because it is biocompatible with the body. Titanium allows for the natural process of osseointegration, which means that bone can fuse to titanium components. In the case of dental implants, bone will fuse around the implant’s base the same way it does around natural teeth.
If dental implants interest you, call Commonwealth Oral & Facial Surgery to schedule a tooth replacement consultation.