Tooth loss is a common issue throughout the country. Approximately 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth and 40 million are missing all of their teeth. The good news is that losing a tooth no longer means that you need to go the rest of your life with a gap in your smile. There are several tooth replacement options out there to help. Dental implants are a preferred method because of their numerous benefits, but you want to be well informed before you commit to them. Here are some terms that you may hear during the dental implants process and their meanings.
Abutment
This is a connecter that is attached to the top of your dental implant. It serves as the attachment for the replacement tooth. The abutment helps to guarantee that your new tooth stays firmly in its rightful place. An abutment tooth is a crowned tooth that supports and stabilizes a bridge or partial denture.
Ceramic
This is one of the most common materials used to make dental implants. It’s created from a type of clay and then hardened by heat.
Crown
A crown, or cap, is used to replace a single tooth that is missing, broken, or damaged. They typically fit over an existing tooth. In the case of dental implants, they are attached to the abutment in order to become perfectly grounded.
Dentures
Dentures are a traditional tooth replacement option that you probably already know about. However, there are several different types of dentures available, like implant dentures. Instead of being held in by the natural suction of your mouth, they are supported by dental implants. This allows for additional longevity and stability.
Endosteal Implant
This is the most commonly used type of dental implant. For this type, a dentist places the implant directly into your jawbone through a surgical procedure. Each implant holds at least one replacement tooth.
Eposteal Implant
Instead of being placed directly into the bone, eposteal implants are supported by resting on the jawbone. It isn’t a very common tooth replacement option anymore, but if a patient is at high risk of advanced bone resorption, the dentist may suggest this type of implant instead.
Osseointegration
This is the biological process where a dental implant fuses with your existing bone. It improves the strength of both the bone and the implant.
By knowing these dental implant related terms, you can better understand how your upcoming procedure will work. You will be reaping the benefits of your restored smile in no time!
About the Practice
At Warnick & Semder Dentistry, there is a committed team of four dentists providing quality care to patients in the St. Albans area. With their combined skills and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need at one of their three convenient locations. To learn more about dental implants or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (304) 722-2211.