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. No matter how many teeth you are missing or where they are located in your mouth, your Frederick, MD dentist can devise a treatment plan to meet your needs. Most conventional dental implants are comprised of three separate parts: the dental implant, the abutment, and the dental prosthesis.
Parts of a Dental Implant
Dental Implant
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. They are implanted in the jawbone during a brief surgical procedure. Dr. Goyal will perform this oral surgery at his dentist office in Frederick, MD.
Dental implants come in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate the different locations where they will be placed along the jaw. For example, if you are replacing a molar with an implant supported crown, a wide base implant will be used to accommodate a wider tooth. Smaller base implants are typically used 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 will be closed up after the surgical placement and reopened later to attach the abutment.
Once the implants are placed in the jaw, they will need about three to six months to heal and fuse with the surrounding bone in the jaw.
Abutment
The abutment is attached to the dental implant and will secure the dental prosthesis. With a two-stage implant, the implant will be uncovered and the abutment attached. This is a simple procedure and it will only take about two weeks for the soft gum tissue to heal afterwards. With a one-stage implant, the healing abutment will be easily removed and a permanent one placed.
Just like implant posts, abutments come in a variety of sizes to accommodate the dental prosthesis it will support. An abutment that is used to support a crown or bridge will be vastly different from one that will support a denture.
Dental Prosthesis
The dental prosthesis is the part that will actually replace the teeth that you are missing. Your dentist will use a dental crown, dental bridge, or denture depending on how many teeth you are missing and where they are located.
A dental crown will replace a single tooth and bridges and dentures are used to replace multiple teeth. Your Frederick dentist will secure the prosthesis once the implants have fused with the bone and the abutments are attached.
We will take several dental impressions that will be used to fabricate your prosthesis. This will ensure that it fits perfectly in your mouth and looks natural.
These separate parts work together in harmony to provide you with replacement teeth that are the next best thing to natural teeth. Get started on your dental implant journey today by scheduling a consultation at Frederick Center for Dentistry in Frederick, MD.