What Do Dental Implants Look Like?
The short answer.
A dental implant is a small titanium screw placed in the jawbone. Once it fuses with the bone, an abutment connects it to an artificial tooth, bridge or denture designed to look natural.
Dental implants are designed to provide a natural-looking solution for missing teeth. Unlike a conventional denture plate, which can slip out of place, or bridges, which need healthy adjacent teeth for support, dental implants are anchored directly into the jawbone.
So, what do dental implants look like? In most cases, they consist of a small titanium screw inserted into the jawbone. Once the implant has fused with the bone, an artificial tooth (or teeth) is attached to the screw via an abutment. The final result is a natural-looking and feeling smile.
Components of Dental Implants
When considering dental implant surgery, it is crucial to understand the components that make up this tooth replacement option.
Dental implants consist of three main parts:
Implant Post
The implant post is inserted into the jawbone and serves as the artificial tooth root. This small metal rod is usually made of titanium, a strong and biocompatible metal that fuses to the bone over time. The post is placed into the jaw during dental implant surgery and allowed to heal for several months before the artificial tooth (called a crown) is attached.
Implant posts come in various sizes and shapes to accommodate each patient’s needs. The posts can be tapered, cylindrical, or cone-shaped and are usually between 3 and 4 millimetres in diameter. Some implant posts are also textured or coated in a biofilm to promote bone growth around the implant.
Abutment
The abutment is a small metal connector piece that attaches to the implant post and protrudes above the gum line. Once the implant post has fused to the bone, the abutment is placed on top. The abutment supports the artificial tooth (or teeth) and can be made of titanium, zirconia, or porcelain.
Restoration
The restoration is the artificial tooth that is attached to the abutment. In most cases, a dental crown is used as the restoration for a single tooth. For multiple teeth, an implant-supported bridge or denture may be used. Restorations can be made from porcelain, gold, or a combination of materials.
Types of dental implants
Although there are many kinds of dental implants, they can be broadly classified into endosteal and subperiosteal.
Endosteal implants are the standard type used to treat missing teeth. They are surgically embedded into the jawbone (another site), and the restoration is attached to the implant once it has healed.
Subperiosteal implants are anchored by the gum tissue but are not placed inside the jawbone. A metal frame is attached to the implant; once the gum has healed, artificial teeth are mounted on the frame.
Both types of dental implants are effective, but endosteal implants tend to be more successful in the long term.
Among the two general classifications, there are several types of dental implants, including:
Single-Unit Implants
A single-unit implant is the most common dental implant, consisting of a single artificial tooth. A single-unit implant is used to replace one missing tooth. However, in some cases, your dentist may recommend a full-mouth restoration with single-unit implants.
This type of implant is placed in the jawbone and allowed to heal for several months before an abutment and restoration are attached. Single-unit implants are a good option for people missing a single tooth.
Implant-Supported Bridge
An implant-supported bridge is a dental implant used to replace two or more missing teeth. This device consists of one or more artificial teeth (called pontics) attached to dental implants.
The implants are placed in the jawbone, and once they have healed, the pontics are attached. Implant-supported bridges are a good option for patients who are missing multiple consecutive teeth.
All-on-4 Implants
All-on-4 implants are a type of dental implant used to replace all teeth in the upper or lower jaw. This device consists of four dental implants that are placed in the jawbone.
Once they have healed, an implant-supported denture is attached to the implants.
All-on-4 implants are a good option for patients who are missing all of their teeth.
The Dental Implant Process
The dental implant surgery process begins with a consultation with a dental implant dentist. During the consultation, the dentist will evaluate the health of your gums and jawbone to determine if dental implants are right for you.
If you are approved for dental implant surgery, the next step is to have an implant surgically placed in your jawbone. Once the implant has healed, a dental prosthetic (artificial tooth) is attached to the implant.
Talk to Us
At Dental Spot, our dentists use X-ray and scanning technology to examine your jawbone and gum health and check whether you are a candidate for dental implants.
Sources
- Endosteal implants for posterior single tooth replacement (another site), Journal of Oral Implantology, 1999
- What is a Dental Implant? (another site), Colgate
This guide is general information, not advice about your own teeth. Your dentist can tell you what applies to you, including the risks of any treatment.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
