Dental implants are the best form of tooth replacement, and if you are thinking about getting them, you can be confident that good times await you! However, the implant treatment process is a bit complex; during your consultation, you might hear your dentist use some words that you are unfamiliar with. Of course, you can always ask for clarification if you do not understand something they say. You can also use this brief glossary of important dental implant terms:
Abutment
Most dental implants feature two-piece construction. There is the implant itself, which gets inserted into the jawbone. Later, a small connector piece, called an abutment, is attached to the top of the implant. The abutment helps to secure your artificial teeth in place.
Bridge
When you think of a bridge, you might visualize a traditional fixed bridge, which requires that your natural teeth be filed down. An implant bridge, however, does not require that. It is supported entirely by dental implants. You might also hear about a “full bridge,” which is essentially an implant-supported denture.
Ceramic
The artificial teeth that get attached to dental implants are usually made out of porcelain, which is a type of ceramic. It bears a remarkable resemblance to natural tooth enamel.
Crown
You might think of a crown as something that gets attached to a natural tooth. In the context of dental implants, however, a crown is attached to an implant in order to completely replace a lost tooth.
Dentures
A denture replaces a full arch of missing teeth. There are a couple different types of implant dentures, including ones that are removable and those that are permanently attached to the implants that support them.
Implant
When the term “implant” is used, it might refer to one of a few different things. Usually, it is used to describe the titanium cylinder or post that is inserted into the jawbone and that supports artificial teeth. However, it may also be used to describe the post, the abutment, and the artificial teeth as a whole.
Osseointegration
Osseointegration is a big word, but its meaning is pretty easy to understand. It is the biological process through which dental implants fuse with the surrounding bone tissue. It is what allows the implants to serve as a sturdy and strong base for artificial teeth.
Titanium
Most dental implants are made of a titanium alloy, which consists mostly of titanium but may have other materials mixed in to make the implants as strong and functional as possible. Medical-grade titanium is considered very safe for use within the human body.
Meet the Practice
Drs. Patel and Ip at Meadowvale Family Dentistry are proud to provide start-to-finish dental implant treatment. Our team is always happy to chat with patients, so feel free to ask us if you are struggling to understand any portion of your recommended care plan. To learn more about us or to request a consultation, contact our Mississauga office at 905-821-0011.