If you are slated to get dental implants soon or simply curious about this restorative dental procedure, you may have a lot to learn. Understanding why dental implants are the gold standard solution for teeth replacement must start with understanding the anatomy of dental implants. It is common to hear the terms “implants” and “implant restorations” when choosing the field of dentistry. These are two very different parts of the treatment and anatomy of your prosthetic tooth or teeth.
Implants: Artificial Tooth Roots
Technically, the “implant” only refers to the titanium post or screw that is surgically inserted into your jaw bone. It’s like an artificial tooth root. The biocompatible metal of the implant will trigger bone growth that fuses the post permanently into place as it heals. At this point, it essentially becomes a part of your oral anatomy. But without an implant restoration, you have nothing to show for your missing teeth – yet.
Implant Restorations: Over Your Implant Abutment
Your implant is encased within the bone. On top of it the implant is an abutment, which is a small attachment piece that extends just above the gum line. But your implant and abutment aren’t “teeth.” That’s why you need a restoration, which is the prosthetic tooth or teeth that attaches to your implant post and abutment. There are a few different types of implant restorations used in modern dentistry:
- Single crowns
- Multiple-tooth bridges
- Implant supported dentures
The type of implant restoration that you choose will depend on how many teeth are missing. The good news is that implants are very strong, so it only takes a couple of them to support something like a bridge, which would replace three or four teeth at a time. Even a full arch denture can be secured or permanently fixed in place on top of as few as four dental implants (called All-on-4 Implants).
A Fort Bend Dentist Who Offers Complete Implants Dentistry
It is important to know that not all dentists offer both dental implants and implant restorations. So, if you are looking for a streamlined, start-to-finish process when replacing your missing teeth, it is best to find a dentist who can provide the surgical implant as well as the custom implant restoration. At Fort Bend Dental, we have an elite team of implant dentists who can not only perform the full dental implants process, but also provide special procedures such as sinus lift and bone grafting when needed. We have everything you need for a successful and stress-free experience in restorative dentistry.
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