While certainly great, dental implants are more complex than other tooth replacements. They’re thus connected to various terms you may not have heard before now. If you plan to get these amazing posts, you’d do well to learn such crucial words and phrases. The good news is that your Sherman dentist will gladly teach them to you ahead of treatment. So, keep reading to discover the four most important dental implant terms you should know.
Dental Implant
It goes without saying that you should know what “dental implant” means. After all, how else will you know what your treatment even amounts to?
A dental implant is basically a small titanium post that acts as a tooth root. When surgically placed by a dentist, this post becomes a permanent part of the patient’s mouth. An implant will thus remain firmly secure and won’t slip, fall, or become unstable over time. Instead, you can trust the post to remain strong and durable for many years.
(Jaw) Bone Loss
You’ve likely heard of broken bones, but what about jaw-related bone loss? Knowing the latter term will help your final implant treatment make more sense.
Jaw-related bone loss is pretty straightforward as a concept. In essence, it refers to how a patient’s jawbone erodes as they suffer from missing or lost teeth. Such erosion occurs because the jaw isn’t stimulated enough from chewing, and it can only be halted (or reversed) with placed dental implants. Otherwise, this process can hinder a dentist’s ability to successfully place any implants.
Abutment
Having learned what an implant is, you should now look into the term “abutment.” It refers to a key part of treatment that makes or breaks your new tooth’s success.
An abutment is a small metal connector used in dentistry. In general, a dentist will attach it to a dental implant so the post can hold a final restoration. This attachment is done after the implant fuses with the patient’s jaw, as it otherwise won’t work.
Replacement Tooth/Restoration
The last (but not least) implant term worth knowing is replacement tooth (or restoration). When you grasp it, much about your care won’t seem as confusing.
The replacement tooth is the tooth-like component that connects to an implant. When placed over a single post, it usually takes the form of a permanent dental crown. That said, the replacement can also be a dental bridge or denture if multiple implant posts are involved.
By now, you’ve learned the most important dental implant terms you should know. Remember them well as you pursue your new and restored smile!
About the Practice
Grant E. & Mark A. Smith DDS is based in Sherman, TX. Led by the eponymous Drs. Grant and Mark Smith, our practice has made smiles beautiful, strong, and stunning for over 25 years. We thus have plenty of experience in a wide range of oral care, from dental checkups to dental implants. Whatever help your grin needs, our team will provide it with glee! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (903)-893-8030.
