Dental Implant Key Terms You Should Know

Do you have missing teeth? You might be considering dental implants. They’re the perfect solution to achieve a restored smile that looks, feels, and acts just like natural teeth! The first step on your journey is a consultation with your dentist to ensure you’re a good candidate. However, they may throw around some unfamiliar words. Luckily, this guide contains dental implant terms you should know to help you understand exactly what’s going on.

Dental Implant

A dental implant, or a fixture, is an artificial tooth root that is surgically placed into the jaw. It fuses securely with the bone, providing strong and durable results that patients can enjoy for many years.

Abutment

An abutment is a connector that your dentist will build into or attach to the top of your dental implant. It serves as the attachment for the replacement tooth, crown, or bridge, keeping it firmly in place.

Crown

A crown, also referred to as a cap, replaces one tooth. If you have a lost or broken tooth due to an infection, decay, or other health problem, then your dentist will fit a crown in your mouth to repair the missing or damaged tooth. It’s typically attached to the abutment of a dental implant.

Osseointegration

This natural process is what allows the dental implant to fuse with your jawbone. It improves the strength between the living bone and the implant. Osseointegration comes from the Greek and Latin words meaning “bone” and “to make whole”.

Titanium

Most modern dental implants are made of titanium, a lightweight but very durable metal. It has become a widely used material since very few people are allergic to titanium. It also can fuse with the jawbone, producing a stronger more long-lasting result.

Zirconia

Zirconia is another metal used for the small percentage of people who are allergic to titanium. Since these implants don’t require restorations (i.e., crowns, bridges, or dentures), the risk of bacteria growth is much lower. In fact, most patients tend to experience better gum health with Zirconia implants!

The more dental implant terms you know, the more prepared you’ll be for the procedure. With this guide, you can better understand the process for a new, restored smile!

About the Practice

Our team at Queen Creek Complete Dental offers everything your family needs for a beautiful, healthy smile. Are you or a loved one hoping to put tooth loss behind you? We’ve got you covered! Thanks to our state-of-the-art dental implants, we can restore your smile and guarantee beautiful, long-lasting results. If you’re ready to start your journey towards a restored grin, schedule a dental implant consultation via our website or call (480) 722-1200.