Unfortunately, we can’t grow back adult teeth once we lose them. However, a tooth implant is designed to replicate a natural tooth as closely as possible. A natural tooth is made up of two basic parts: The tooth and the tooth root. While most tooth replacement options only replace the visible tooth, a tooth implant replaces both the tooth root and the tooth. A tooth implant consists of three basic parts:
Implant Post: A tooth implant post looks similar to a tiny screw. It is made up of titanium, a material that is naturally compatible with your body. This implant post is surgically placed in a carefully calculated location in your gums to replace the function of your tooth root. Over time, this titanium implant fuses to the jawbone to make it a sturdy support for the tooth restoration above. The implant post is not visible once it is placed, but it probably plays the most important function in the tooth implant.
Abutment: After your implant post has started to heal and fuse with the jawbone, your dental implant dentist will then attach an abutment to the tooth implant. An abutment is a small metal piece that connects the implant post to the tooth restoration. After it is placed, it will probably protrude above the gum line until the tooth restoration is fixed. Your abutment will be shaped differently depending on which tooth restoration you choose.
Tooth Restoration: The tooth restoration is the visible tooth that everyone sees. Most commonly, a porcelain crown is carefully shaped to match the color and contours of your surrounding teeth, and secured to the abutment. Some patients who are missing multiple teeth choose to have an implant-supported bridge or dentures instead of multiple porcelain crowns.
Dental implant dentist Dr. Jeremy Miner has successfully placed hundreds of tooth implants. To learn more about what he can do for your smile, call Dobro Dental Implants in Gush Etzion, Beit Shemesh And Jerusalem to schedule an initial consultation.