What Are Dental Implants?

Not many teeth restoration patients are actually aware of what dental implants really are and, as a result, believe that implants are simply replacement teeth. There is actually much more to it than this. In fact, dental implants are more of a system, which is made up of three different pieces. These three pieces work to take the place of specific parts of your missing tooth, which allows them to perfectly simulate your natural teeth.

Dental implants are quickly rising in popularity not just because of the way they work, but also because of how they are custom made to fit in perfectly among the patient’s remaining natural teeth. This allows your dental implants to look as natural as they feel. We encourage you to read on to learn more about the pieces that make up the dental implants Dr. K. Ashraf provides his teeth restoration patients with.

The Three Parts of a Dental Implant

While there are dental implants made of only two different pieces, the most common type of implant and the one used by Dr. K. Ashraf is made up of three pieces. These include:

Implant Breakdown – The Implant Fixture

The first and most important part of a dental implant is the implant fixture. This piece takes the place of your missing tooth root and, during the implant procedure, it is placed in the empty spot left behind by your missing tooth. As it heals, a process called osseointegration works to integrate it into your oral anatomy, giving your jaw structure the ability to manipulate the fixture just like it does your natural teeth. This process is possible because the implant fixture is made from titanium, which is a bio-compatible alloy that your body doesn’t recognize as unnatural.

The Abutment

The next part of a dental implant is the abutment. Another piece made from titanium, the abutment is used to connect the restoration to the implant fixture. While it may be possible to have your abutment placed directly after the implant procedure, it is not uncommon to wait until after the recovery period before having it placed.

The Restoration

The last part of the dental implant to be placed is the restoration that will top it. The most common restorations used in conjunction with dental implants are porcelain crowns, dental bridges, and overdentures. No matter which type of restoration you use, we will custom make it based on scans taken of your remaining natural teeth. By taking this extra step, we can ensure that your restoration perfectly matches your remaining natural teeth, making it virtually impossible to tell your replacement teeth from your real teeth.

Restore Beauty and Perfection to Your Smile

Do you live in the Waterloo, ON area and are currently suffering from oral problems such as missing teeth or significant tooth decay? If so, you will definitely want to consider treatment using dental implants. Only dental implants can provide you with beautiful, natural-looking replacement teeth that function and feel just as good as your real teeth. If you would like to learn more about dental implants and how the various pieces that make them up work together to provide the best possible teeth replacement treatment, then please contact our office and schedule a no-obligation consultation with Dr. K. Ashraf today.