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Los Gatos Cosmetic Dentist Explains How Dental Implants Work

Dental implants are an excellent permanent solution if you have missing teeth, and they are used increasingly in place of traditional tooth replacement methods. As a result, you’ve probably heard a lot about dental implants lately in commercials or on the internet. But most people lack an understanding of specifically how a dental implant works. Let’s take a look at the three basic components of a dental implant.

The Dental Implant Fixture

This is the part of the implant that is embedded in and becomes anchored to the jawbone. This portion of the dental implant lies below the gum line and is sometimes referred to as the “artificial root”. The implant fixture is made of titanium in a screw-shaped design. The surface of the fixture is then microscopically roughened increasing its total surface area, thereby creating greater bone-to-implant contact.

The Dental Implant Abutment

The abutment of a tooth implant is the stub portion of the fixture that will sit slightly above the gum line. It is a small protruding surface that the crown or bridgework will rest upon. In order for the implant fixture to have time to fully integrate with the bone, the abutment is usually attached to the implant fixture by Los Gatos Dental several months after the titanium screw portion is placed.

The Dental Prosthesis

The dental prosthesis refers to the dental crown or dental bridgework that is supported by the implant and the abutment described above. Depending on how this dental work has been designed, it can either be cemented or screwed into place. The placement of the dental prosthesis is the final step in the implant process.

If you are missing one or more teeth you may be a good candidate for dental implants. But each patient has different needs, so schedule a consultation with Los Gatos, CA Dentist Office to determine if dental implants are right for you.