Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Dental Implants

There are three main parts that make up a dental implant: the implant itself, the dental implant abutment and the dental prosthesis, which generally refers to the dental crown or dental bridgework that the implant supports. Dental implants, together with dental abutments, can be used to support single teeth, a group of teeth, or even all of the teeth.
Let’s discuss the three parts of a dental implant in more detail.

1.) The dental implant fixture: The dental implant fixture is the portion of the implant that is embedded in and becomes anchored to the jawbone. This process is called osseointegration and provides stability and support for the dental prosthesis. The dental implant fixture is constructed out of titanium and is that portion of the dental implant that lies below the gum line.

2.) The dental implant abutment: The dental implant abutment is a cylinder that is screwed on top of the dental implant fixture. The abutment aspect of an implant lies at or above the gum line. This stub portion is used to attach and support the crown, dental bridgework or denture that makes up the final restoration.

3.) The dental prosthesis: The dental prosthesis refers to the dental crown, dental bridgework, or denture that the implant fixture supports. This can be either screwed or cemented in place, depending on the design.

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