How do dental implants work?

Are dental implants right for you?

Dental implants, in the opinion of many of our patients, are the best way to replace missing teeth and give their smiles function once again. If you're considering getting dental implants to replace your missing teeth, it's crucial that you know exactly what they are and how the implant procedure works.

What are the parts of a dental implant?

The Implant

While all three parts of the dental implant are known as a dental implant when grouped together, the actual implant part is a tiny titanium screw that will be surgically placed in your jaw by your dentist. It will be put in the spot where the root of the missing tooth once sat. 

The "root" or secure foundation for the artificial tooth will be made up by this screw. The implant screw will fuse with your jaw bone after the healing process at the implant site is complete, creating a sturdy foundation for the replacement tooth, such as a crown, bridge, or denture.

The dental implant process can be long. After implant placement surgery, the healing process usually takes between 4 to 6 months. When your mouth has healed completely, the next step in this dental implant process can start.

The Abutment

The second step in the dental implant procedure is to attach an abutment to the implant. This abutment, which is typically made of ceramic or titanium, secures the restoration to the dental implant.

The Restoration

After allowing enough time for the healing process, your dentist can attach a restoration to the abutment. This restoration could be a single artificial tooth or multiple artificial teeth in the form of an implant-supported denture or bridge.

Bridge

Typically made from porcelain, a dental bridge can be used to replace a number of missing teeth side-by-side. This restoration can be attached to just two implants that hold it in place. 

Crown

A single tooth can be replaced with a crown, which can be cemented or screwed to the abutment to create an artificial tooth that will look and function similar to a natural tooth. Dental crowns can be made from ceramic, or a mixture of porcelain and metal. 

Denture

If you need to replace a full jaw of missing teeth, implant-supported dentures can be used. These are typically constructed from porcelain teeth or acrylic resin. Implant-supported dentures are permanently secured to dental implants to create a natural-looking, secure tooth replacement, whereas conventional dentures are removable.