A dental implant secured prosthesis is an advanced dental structure that can replace any number of missing teeth. They are versatile and custom designed to accommodate any patient and their unique needs.
Our Frederick, MD, dental implant specialist will create a treatment plan to meet your needs. We can help no matter how many teeth you are missing or where they were in your mouth. Conventional dental implants consist of three separate parts: the dental implant, the abutment, and the dental prosthesis.
Parts of a Dental Implant
Dental Implant Post
The implant post is a sophisticated dental tool that serves two purposes. It will help secure the dental prosthesis and replace the natural tooth root. Dr. Goyal embeds them in the jawbone during a brief surgical procedure. Dr. Goyal will perform the dental implant surgery at his dentist office in Frederick, MD.
Dental implant posts consist of biocompatible materials (titanium or zirconia) so that your body does not reject them. Titanium is the most common material because of its ability to integrate with the jawbone, or osseointegration. Zirconia is a newer option, is white, highly aesthetic, and offers good strength. Both materials are safe and long-lasting.
Dental implant posts come in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate different locations in your mouth. For example, a wide base post will secure a wider tooth if you are replacing a molar. The implant dentist will use a smaller base post to replace missing teeth towards the front of the mouth.
There is also one and two-stage dental implants. A one-stage implant already has an abutment attached and does not require a second procedure. A two-stage dental implant does not have the permanent abutment. The dentist will close the site after the surgical placement, and reopen it later to attach the abutment.
It will take about three to six months for your mouth to heal and fuse with the implant posts after our dentist places them in your jaw. Then, we can attach the abutment. The abutment will hold the final dental prosthesis.
The Abutment
Just like implant posts, abutments come in a variety of sizes to accommodate the dental prosthesis it will support. An abutment that supports a crown or bridge will be different from one that will support an implant-supported denture.
The abutment sits securely on the dental implant post to secure the dental prosthesis or restoration. During a two-stage implant procedure, our dentist uncovers the implant post after surgery and attaches the abutment. This is a simple procedure and it will only take about two weeks for the soft gum tissue to heal afterwards. During a one-stage implant procedure, our dentist removes the temporary healing abutment and places the permanent one.
Dental Prosthesis or Restoration
The dental prosthesis is the part that will actually replace the teeth that you are missing. Our dentist will use a dental crown, dental bridge, or denture depending on how many teeth you are missing.
We will take dental impressions after your mouth heals over the implant posts. We will use the impressions to fabricate your final prosthesis. This will ensure that it fits perfectly in your mouth and looks very natural.
A dental crown will replace a single tooth. Bridges and dentures will replace multiple missing teeth. Our Frederick dentists will secure the prosthesis to your mouth after they attach the abutments.
These dental implant post, abutment, and final restoration will fit together in harmony. We will provide you with replacement teeth that are the next best thing to natural teeth.
Start your dental implant journey today by scheduling a consultation at Frederick Center for Dentistry. To learn more about our dental implant services, see: