Tooth implants are among the most popular dental restoration options available. Though people have experimented with methods of restoring missing teeth since ancient times, the dental implant, as it is known today, has existed since the 1970s. Implants are very effective at restoring not only the look of a natural tooth but the function as well, which partly accounts for the popularity of this restoration option. Patients considering this option may want to know what the implant is like and what is involved in the procedure to place it.
There are three main components of a dental implant: the prosthesis, the fixture and the abutment.
The prosthesis is the tooth-shaped part of the implant and the component that is visible in the mouth once placement is complete. It resembles a dental crown except that instead of fitting over a still-existent tooth, it attaches to the implant.
The fixture is a cylindrical, screw-shaped shaft made of a metal such as titanium. This is the part that actually gets implanted into the jawbone. Once it heals, it will become completely embedded so that the fixture is one with the jaw. It remains below the gumline and is not visible to the outside observer.
The abutment is the component that connects the prosthesis to the fixture. Like the fixture, the abutment is typically made of metal. It sits right at the level of the gum line so that it is visible in the mouth when the prosthesis is not present. There are several ways to connect the prosthesis to the abutment. It may be screwed into place or cemented onto the abutment.
Placing a tooth implant is a dental restoration procedure that typically needs to be completed in stages to provide healing time between the different procedures. The first stage usually involves placing the implant, which requires the surgeon to drill a hole in the jawbone for placement of the fixture after first incising and opening the gums to expose the bone. Once this takes place, the surgeon closes the gums over the implant. Several months are usually needed for osseointegration, the process by which the implant becomes permanently fused with the bone.
Once osseointegration is complete, the surgeon performs another procedure to open up the gums and attach the abutment. This involves reopening the gums, placing the abutment on the fixture and closing the gum tissue around the abutment. This procedure requires approximately two weeks to heal before impressions of the teeth can be taken, the crown can be crafted and the prosthesis placed in the mouth.
Sometimes it is necessary to perform another procedure prior to placing the fixture. For a dental implant to be successful, the bone of the jaw must be strong enough to support it. If it is not, it may be necessary to first perform a bone graft. It can be several months after that until the graft material has integrated into the bone and the jaw is strong enough for an implant.
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