Fill the gap in your grin with a dental implant, and you’ll be able to smile with confidence. A highly skilled San Jose dentist can provide you with a replacement tooth looks and feels completely natural, and with your bite function restored, you’ll have the ability to eat any food you want. What’s not to like?
For anyone who has been living with missing teeth, dental implant placement is worth considering. Before you move forward with the procedure, however, you might want more information. Here, the expert team at The Glen Dental in San Jose, California, explains the three parts of a replacement tooth and the role each one plays in creating a healthy and beautiful smile.
Part 1: The Implant Post
The post of a dental implant serves as a substitute for the roots of the missing tooth. A screw-like piece, the post is typically made of a biocompatible ceramic or titanium material. Positioned below the gumline, it fuses with the jawbone – and because the implant post is solidly anchored, the replacement tooth is incredibly strong.
Part 2: The Abutment
In the context of dental implants, an abutment is a connecting piece – it attaches to the post and to the dental restoration, holding them both in place. Like the implant post, this part is usually ceramic or titanium in composition. And while the abutment sits near the gumline, it isn’t visible once the final part of the replacement tooth is in place.
Part 3: The Dental Restoration
The dental restoration is the component that can be seen, and for those who need a single replacement tooth, it’s a crown. Crowns are made of a porcelain compound or ceramic resin, and at The Glen Dental, we use advanced techniques, customizing the tint and shape of each crown so that it closely resembles the surrounding teeth.
For San Jose patients in need of more than one replacement tooth, the dental restoration is a bridge or a cluster of connected crowns that attaches to a single abutment. Dental implants can also be used to replace a partial or full dental arch. However, an implant-supported denture requires four to six posts and abutments to provide sufficient support.
The Strength of Dental Implants
If you need a replacement tooth, it’s likely that any San Jose dentist you visit would recommend getting a dental implant. As we explained above, the three parts work to replace an entire missing tooth, from its roots to the crown. Because of this, implants closely mimic the natural teeth in look, fit and function.
But how do they compare in durability? Implant placement is a safe and effective option for a gap-free smile, but how strong are dental implants? After all, you don’t want to invest in a replacement tooth that isn’t going to last.
Fortunately, that’s not the outcome you can expect. With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime. As long as you continue to practice good oral hygiene – brushing and flossing on a daily basis and visiting your San Jose dentist for regular examinations and routine cleanings – your replacement tooth can stand the test of time. The reason for this is their composition.
The implant post and the abutment are made of either titanium, one of the strongest metals on the planet, or an incredibly durable type of dental ceramic called zirconium dioxide. Both materials are biocompatible, capable of fully fusing with the jawbone to provide a stable and strong foundation or a replacement tooth. And whether yours is a titanium or ceramic dental implant, it won’t be susceptible to decay.
What’s more, dental-grade titanium and ceramic implants are manufactured to be fracture-resistant. Titanium posts and abutments almost never break, and while the risk is greater with replacement tooth components made of zirconium dioxide, the probability of breakage is low with today’s high-grade ceramic material.
As for the strength of the dental restoration, both porcelain and ceramic crowns are made to withstand normal wear and tear like the natural teeth. However, biting down on hard objects can cause a crown to crack or break. The pressure put on a crown from tooth grinding can also cause damage. In either case, a broken crown can be replaced without affecting the other parts of the replacement tooth.
The Decision to Get Dental Implants
Dental implants are an excellent choice for many people who want to replace their missing teeth and those who are looking for an alternative to traditional dentures. However, before you move forward with implant placement, it’s important to consider all of the factors involved. Making sure you have all of the information you need is paramount – and you’ll get that at The Glen Dental.
Our professional team is happy to answer questions, and we’re transparent about our treatments and what to expect in terms of cost. We offer affordable financing options, too, and with our decades of experience, you can count on us to provide a positive dental experience.
For more information on dental implants, or to discuss your replacement tooth options with a friendly and knowledgeable dentist in San Jose, California, contact The Glen Dental today.