If you aren’t in a dentist or oral surgeon’s office regulary, you may not know the specialized language of dental implant terminology. Maybe you know your brother-in-law got some “things” that holds his denture firmly in place. Maybe you’ve heard your sister’s story about how her implant grew into her jawbone, and now her new tooth looks great. If words like abutment and osseointegration don’t roll easily off your tongue, it’s time to get smarter about dental implant terminology.
Know The Language
Post: This is the portion that is placed in your jaw. It is usually made of titanium. An oral surgeon precisely places the biocompatible post into the jawbone. The jawbone then grows around and fuses to the tooth, joining the metal to the bone in a process called osseointegration
Abutment: The abutment attaches to the post, giving a firm seat for the replacement tooth.
Crown or Cap: This is the replacement tooth that will show about your gums. The crown will be carefully crafted to be the same size, shape and color as the surrounding teeth. In this way, your implant tooth will appear to have always been a part of your natural smile.
How Many Implants?
Implants can be placed solo, to replace a single missing tooth. Several implants can hold a bridge or partial denture firmly in place. All-on-four dentures, adhere to four specially-placed posts and hold a full denture securely to the ridge of the mouth.
Ask Questions When You Aren’t Sure
Before any procedure, you will attend a consultation visit. This is a chance for you to discuss options, ask questions and benefit from the expertise of your oral surgeon. We are happy to explain unfamiliar words, or discuss any procedure in detail.
Don’t Let Unfamiliar Implant Terminology Trip You Up
Stretch your dental vocabulary and build your implant smarts in 2018. We are here to help! Schedule the time you need in Santa Rosa, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-545-4625 to schedule your visit today.
