You’ve likely heard about dental implants and the many benefits they offer as a tooth replacement option. But when you visit your dentist to ask about the treatment, they may use a few terms that you haven’t heard before. To help make sure that you fully understand what’s going on during every step of the dental implant process, here’s a brief overview of 4 terms that are worth familiarizing yourself with!
1. Endosteal Implant
Many people don’t realize that there’s more than one type of dental implant. That said, in most cases, your dentist will probably recommend endosteal implants, which often come in the form of screw-shaped titanium posts. An endosteal implant is inserted into your jawbone via a minor oral surgery, allowing it to act like an artificial tooth root. The number of endosteal implants you receive will depend on the kind of prosthesis that will be attached to them to replace all of your missing teeth.
2. Abutment
Dental implants have three main parts: the implant post, the final prosthesis, and the abutment. The purpose of the abutment is to connect the post with the prosthesis; in other words, it’s the part that helps ensure that your replacement teeth stay in place at all times. You can usually expect to receive abutments after your mouth has finished healing from your dental implant surgery.
3. Osseointegration
Osseointegration is vital for ensuring the long-term success of your dental implants. It’s a natural process where your jawbone gradually fuses with the implant posts, giving them the strength and stability necessary to support your replacement teeth. Generally speaking, osseointegration can be expected to take between three to six months. The exact timeline depends on the patient’s overall health, the location of the implant posts, and various other factors.
4. Restoration
Dental implant restoration is simply the process of anchoring your replacement teeth to your implant posts, thus putting the finishing touches on your new smile. Some patients will only need a crown to fill in the gap left by a single tooth while others might require a bridge or a denture to replace multiple teeth. No matter what kind of prosthesis you get, it will be carefully customized for your unique mouth so that it fits comfortably and looks natural.
These are just a few key examples of terms that might come up when you’re pursuing dental implants. If there’s anything else about the process that you don’t understand, don’t hesitate to let your dentist know.
About the Author
Dr. Andrew R. Glynn went to the Ohio State University for his dental education, and he has served as a dentist in the Air Force. His continuing education focuses on a variety of subjects, including dental implants. At Glynn Dental of Reynoldsburg, he helps patients enjoy complete smiles again with dental implants and other services. If you need a solution for missing teeth, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Glynn by visiting his website or calling (614) 864-4618.