A dental implant restoration is made up of three different components that work together to replace a tooth or teeth. Dr. Kush Patel and Dr. Krutav Patel will discuss these three parts to help their patients better understand how dental implants work. Learn more about the parts of a dental implant from Fullerton, CA dentists.
Parts of a Dental Implant Restoration
Dental implants are essentially a system that replaces teeth or a tooth. It is made up of three basic parts. When put together, these three parts will function similarly like natural teeth. The parts of a dental implant include the implant fixture, the abutment, and the dental prosthesis.
Implant Fixture
The fixture is the small, screw like piece that must be surgically inserted into the jaw bone. It essentially replaces the missing teeth roots and supports the new dental prosthesis. Patients will receive anywhere from one to eight dental implant fixtures per arch depending on how many teeth they are missing and the type of prosthesis they are getting. They are available in a variety of sizes and materials.
We offer standard, mini, and wide implants. The most used size is the standard size which has a diameter of between 3.5mm to 4.3mm. A mini dental implant has a diameter of between 2mm to 3.5mm. Patients who lack space between teeth roots or bone mass may require mini implants. A wide implant has a diameter of 4.5mm to 6mm. Patients that are replacing larger teeth, such as teeth located in the back of the mouth, with an expansive root system will need a wide dental implant.
Most dental implants are made out of titanium. However, for patients that are allergic to metal, we also offer zirconia dental implants. Both materials are biocompatible and resistant to corrosion. Titanium is very popular because it has been successfully used for many years to replace body parts. It is also lightweight yet very strong.
Abutment
The abutment is attached to the dental implant and is essentially responsible to connecting the implant fixture to the dental prosthesis. There are two different types of abutments to choose from: a stock abutment or a custom abutment.
The stock abutment is pre-made and cannot be customized to fit the patients tooth. However, they are inexpensive and can speed up treatment time. A custom abutment can be customized to fit the patients tooth perfectly to create a more aesthetic and comfortable fit. However, it will slow down treatment time and they are more expensive.
Dental Prosthesis
The last part that is attached is the dental prosthesis. This the part that will replace the crown portion of the teeth. The type of the prosthesis you will need depends on how many teeth you are missing and where they are located on the arch. Your dentists will create a prosthesis that will fit perfectly in your mouth by taking dental impressions, measurements, and x-rays if needed. Your new teeth will look, feel, and function like natural teeth. It typically takes a dental lab about two weeks to fabricate your new teeth. Depending on your circumstances, your dentist will place one of the following:
- Dental crown: A dental crown will be secured to a single dental implant if you are missing one tooth.
- Dental bridge: A dental bridge will be secured to at least two dental implants if you are missing several consecutive missing teeth.
- Denture: If you are missing all of your teeth along an arch, Dr. Kush Patel and Dr. Krutav Patel will secure a custom denture to between four and eight dental implants.
If you would like to learn more about the parts of a dental implant and how they work, please schedule a consultation at Fullerton Craft Smile. To book your appointment, call (714) 888-7008 or you can request an appointment online by filling out the form. Learning more about the parts of a dental implant in Fullerton, CA will help you decide if this is the right tooth replacement solution for you.