Dental Implants

A dental implant has three parts. These parts combine to replace the entire structure of a missing tooth, from root to crown.

1. The implant post, sometimes simply called a dental implant, is a small screw made of titanium. The post is placed into the bone of your jaw during a short surgical procedure. After placement, the dental implant site is allowed to heal; during this time, the implant post undergoes osseointegration as the cells of your jaw bone attach to the implant to keep it securely in place.
2. The abutment serves as an attachment point between the dental implant post and the dental crown that will replace the visible portion of your tooth. In some cases, the abutment is placed at the same time as the dental implant; other times, you will need to return to the office for a short procedure in which the abutment is attached to the top of the dental implant post. In this case, you’ll need an additional one to two weeks of healing prior to crown placement.
3. The visible portion of your dental implant is the crown, which looks just like your natural tooth. Crowns are typically made from porcelain or porcelain fused with metal for a realistic and long-lasting appearance.