on Dental Implants for prospective patients
Dental Implants and Dental Implant Surgery has been hailed as one of the most significant dental procedure innovations for the last 25 years. As a prospective patient we have compiled some essential facts you should acquaint yourself with to understand dental implants more thoroughly.
The most common style of dental implant will consist of three parts – the dental implant/screw + the abutment/post + the porcelain crown – that combine to completely rehabilitate a missing tooth in your mouth. (see pic)
The first part – the threaded dental implant is placed directly into the jaw bone which essentially replaces the root of the original tooth and creates a solid base for the future porcelain crown. This part of the procedure will usually require a 6 month healing period prior to the second stage of the full tooth rehabilitation. The dental implant is made from titanium which is the recommended metal for replacing and fusing with bone. The bone will fuse tightly with the dental implant over a 6 month period.
After the six month healing period you will return to your dentist who will then place the abutment/post into the dental implant. Then an impression will be made and the final part of the rehabilitation of your missing tooth will be complete with the placing of a custom made porcelain crown which will be fixed to the post.