Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option out there! Since they replace the roots of the missing teeth, they allow for a wide range of benefits that you can’t achieve with dentures or dental bridges. If you are planning on getting dental implants in the near future, it pays to be well informed. Here are some of the terms that you may want to learn about so you can add them to your vocabulary.
Abutment
This is the connector piece that secures your restoration to your dental implant. It helps to make sure that your dental crown, bridges, or denture stays firmly in place. This way, you don’t need to worry about your replacement teeth shifting around, clicking, or being uncomfortable.
Ceramic
Ceramic is a material that is commonly used to create dental implant restorations. It is made from a type of clay that is handed with heat. It is an ideal option to create artificial teeth thanks to their durability and natural appearance.
Dental Crown
A dental crown is generally placed on a damaged tooth or the adjacent teeth of a missing tooth for a dental bridge. It the case of dental implants, a dental crown can be attached to a single dental implant via the abutment. This keeps it stable and secure.
Implant Dentures
Dentures are the tried and tested way to address tooth loss. Implant dentures have become popular in recent years because they bring some of the greatest benefits of dentures and dental implants to a single restoration. Instead of being held in placed by the shape and suction of the mouth, implant dentures are supported by dental implants. This allows patients who have more extensive tooth loss enjoy a more stable and long-lasting tooth replacement option.
Osseointegration
This tern comes from the Greek and Latin words that mean “bone” and “to make whole.” Osseointegration is the fusion process in which the titanium implant becomes one with the jawbone. Osseointegration strengthens the bone, making your dental implants even more resilient.
Titanium
Most of the time, dental implants are made from titanium. This type of metal offers many benefits. For example, allergies to titanium are very rare, so patients are more likely to have a successful outcome. Titanium is lightweight, strong, and biocompatible. This allows for strong results that take for many decades.
By becoming familiar with these terms, you can better understand your upcoming procedure and replacement teeth. You will be showing off a complete smile in just a matter of time!
About the Practice
At Bell Dental, Dr. Kenneth Bell, Dr. Steven Kaebnick, and Dr. Lindsey Webber work together to treat patients in the Louisville community. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. They complete the entire dental implant treatment at their practice. To learn more about dental implants or to schedule a consultation, visit her website or call (502) 749-2355.