Dental Implants - What They Are And How They Work
Dental implants are used to anchor a single tooth, several teeth or a mouthful of teeth.
The typical dental implant for the replacement of a single tooth consists of three separate pieces; each fulfilling a unique role in the process.
The actual implant is usually a titanium post that is placed in your in the jawbone. Over the next two to six months, the implant will safely fuse with the jawbone to form a secure, immovable base upon which the two other components, the abutment and the prosthesis or crown, will be placed. The abutment attaches to the portion of the implant that sits above the gumline.
It forms a platform for the crown, which is carefully molded and positioned on the abutment by a prosthodontist or restorative dentist.