If you are at the beginning of your tooth replacement journey, you have an exciting road in front of you! Of course, you may also need to learn some things along the way. For example, your dentist might use some words and phrases that you are unfamiliar with. You are always free to ask for an explanation of anything you do not understand! In the meantime, though, you might find it helpful to review this list of key dental implant terms:
Abutment
A typical dental implant has three pieces: There is the implant itself, which acts as a prosthetic tooth root; the restoration, or the prosthetic teeth that get attached to the implant, and the abutment. The abutment’s job is to connect the implant to its restoration.
All-on-4
All-on-4 is a particular type of dental implant treatment. It is designed to replace a full arch of missing teeth. It has some big selling points, including the fact that it usually involves the placement of just four implants, and that the treatment process is designed to be as fast as possible.
Bone Grafting
If your jawbone is not strong enough or large enough to support dental implants, you might need a bone graft. The grafted material may be taken from your own body or another source. In some cases, grafts can be performed at the same time as dental implant placement. In other instances, they are separate surgeries.
Bridge
You might understand the concept of a traditional dental bridge, which relies on the natural teeth for support. An implant bridge is different. It has an implant on each end, which are connected to crowns that provide the necessary support for the pontics (artificial teeth) between them.
You might also hear your dentist talk about a “full bridge,” which is an implant denture that replaces an entire arch of missing teeth.
Ceramic/Porcelain
Dental implant restorations are usually made of porcelain, which is a type of ceramic. (The words ceramic and porcelain are sometimes used interchangeably, so if you have questions about the specific material that will be used, be sure to ask.) Porcelain looks almost identical to natural tooth enamel.
Crown
Whereas traditional crowns are meant to cover natural teeth, an implant crown gets attached to a prosthetic tooth root in order to replace a single missing tooth.
Implant Dentures
An implant denture replaces a full arch of missing teeth. These prosthetics can be fixed in place, but they can also be removable.
Implant
Technically, a dental implant is a prosthetic tooth root that gets placed into the jawbone. However, this word might also be used to refer to the totality of an implant, its abutment, and its crown.
Osseointegration
Once your implants are inserted into your jawbone, they will bond with the surrounding tissue. This biological process is known as osseointegration.
Titanium
Dental implants are usually made of titanium alloy, which is mostly titanium but may contain small amounts of other metals. Medical-grade titanium has a longstanding reputation for working well within the human body.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Erin Page of our Schenectady dental practice is proud to be able to offer complete dental implant treatment. She combines her extensive skill with state-of-the-art technology to give each case the best possible chance of success. To learn more about implants and what to expect from this treatment, contact Capital Smiles at 518-374-0317.