Did you know that a dental implant typically comprises not one but three parts? These dental implant components each have a role in ensuring every restoration is durable, long-lasting, functional, and lifelike. To truly appreciate how good dental implants are, it’s worth looking at how each component part works to provide support and stability once anchored into the mouth. So without further ado, let’s dive into the fascinating world of dental implants.
In essence, the component parts that make up typical dental implants are as follows
- The fixture
- The abutment, and
- The implant restoration
The fixture
The fixture -often known as the implant post- is a cylindrical screw, fastened directly into the jawbone. Once anchored into position, it acts as an artificial tooth root.
So why is this important?
When a natural tooth is missing, the bone tissue that supported the tooth root initially is no longer needed. As a result, it starts to reabsorb back into the body. Over time this causes the jawbone and facial structure to change shape. In fact, during the first 6-12 months, approximately 30% of the hard and soft tissues that make up the jaw bone diminish.
When a dental implant post is inserted directly into the jawbone, it tricks the body into thinking a real tooth root is present. Because the bone tissue now has work to do (supporting the fake tooth root), it no longer gets reabsorbed back into the body. Hey presto, no more bone shrinkage.
Dental implant posts are typically made from titanium. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, titanium is both lightweight and strong. So when the post is anchored in the mouth, it won’t feel uncomfortable, but it needs to be strong enough to withstand normal bite force (more about this later).
Secondly, dental implant components made from titanium are compatible with living tissue. In other words, they won’t initiate a toxic or immunological response.
Finally, and most importantly, when titanium comes into contact with bone, it forms a permanent biological adhesion. This adhesion is vital in the case of dental implants because this process of fusion (osseointegration) provides the strength and stability that a dental implant needs, allowing it to function exactly like a natural tooth.
The abutment
The second of the three dental implant components is the connector or abutment. This sits in between the implant post and the visible prosthetic restoration. Typically one end of the abutment screws into the implant post while the other end is used to fasten or adhere to the dental restoration.
Abutments come in differing shapes and sizes depending upon the implant post and the type of tooth restoration that requires support. So an abutment can resemble a stumpy screw, but at the same time, an abutment needed to fit an implant-supported denture may come with several attachments. Either way, the abutment is used to attach or secure the dental implant post to the tooth-like restoration.
An abutment also has another purpose and one that is equally important. It also acts as a cushioning device or shock absorber.
Think about it this way, when your typical human bite exceeds 1100 Newtons of torque, it would place excessive pressure on the implant post, causing it to fracture. Therefore for dental implants to work, that bite force needs to be controlled or cushioned, and that’s where the abutment comes in. It evenly distributes the bite force through the implant and down into the jaw.
Sometimes the abutment is attached simultaneously to the post, but often it’s screwed into the post after osseointegration (bone fusion) has occurred.
The implant restoration
The implant restoration is the only visible part of all the dental implant components. Understandably, patients see it as the most important, particularly from an aesthetic viewpoint. A perfectly crafted restoration can more than make up for the overall cost of dental implants.
Restorations can either be a single crown, a bridge, or a denture. While a single crown is used to replace a single tooth gap, a dental bridge is ideal for two or more adjacent spaces. Alternatively, an implant-supported denture can either be complete or partial and is supported by several dental implants.
Typically, these restorations will be cemented onto the implant post when a crown or bridge is needed. However, if dentures are required to replace an entire arch of teeth, they are generally snapped onto the implant abutments to prevent movement.
Dental implant crowns are made from various materials, including porcelain, ceramic, and zirconia, and are colour-matched to your natural teeth for a seamless look. However, unlike the titanium post that can last a lifetime, a prosthetic crown does have a shelf life – typically 10-15 years depending upon wear and tear. For this reason, it’s difficult for anyone to say precisely how long dental implants will last as it depends upon the quality and the correct use of each dental implant component.
That said, dental implants remain the gold standard for missing teeth replacement, and now you know a little more about them and how they work, you can probably understand why.
At No-Gaps Dental, we have a series of 15 clinics scattered in and around the Sydney Metro area, and our teams take sanitary measures very seriously. Not only are our dental implant components thoroughly sterilized after removing them from the packaging we also have hand sanitiser located throughout our clinics. This includes hand sanitiser in the waiting rooms and treatment rooms. In fact, we encourage everyone to use hand sanitiser whenever they enter or leave a No Gaps clinic.
Call us today on 02 8007 6727 for a dental implant consultation at a No Gaps clinic near you or book an appointment online. Let us help you restore your smile once and for all.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
NCBI – Prevention of Bone Resorption By HA After tooth Extraction
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6926561
National Geographic – Who Are You Calling weak? The Human Jaw Is Surprisingly Efficient
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/who-are-you-calling-weak-human-jaws-are-surprisingly-strong-and-efficient