Implant Dentistry

There are several ways to replace missing teeth. Dental implants offer the best choice. First, dental implants are made of titanium, so it is not possible for them to break down from tooth decay. And second, dental implants preserve tooth-supporting bone that naturally deteriorates when a tooth is lost. Loss of bone is one of the major hidden consequences of losing teeth.

To put it simply, there are two parts to a dental implant. The part that goes into the jawbone is the implant fixture. And the part that goes on top of the implant fixture is the implant crown.

The dental implant fixture is the screw shaped titanium post that replaces the root part of the missing tooth. The fixtures is placed during the initial implant surgery and requires several months before the implant crown is placed on top.

When the surrounding bone has grown solid around the implant fixture after several months, the implant crown is often secured onto the implant by a small screw. Sometimes, however, it is advantageous to cement the crown onto the implant fixture. If this needs to be done, a part called an implant abutment will be secured to the implant fixture, and the crown will be cemented onto the implant abutment in the same way a crown is cemented to a natural tooth.

Caring for an implant does not differ all that much from a natural tooth. Good oral hygiene is required around the implant to keep bacteria from destroying healthy bone supporting the implant fixture. Flossing and brushing your teeth on a regular basis, along with professional cleanings, can prevent this.