Dental implants have been used for decades as a permanent, natural-looking alternative to

dentures and bridges. However, to truly understand why dental implants the gold standard of
tooth replacement options are, we need to take a closer look at each part of a dental implant.
There are three main components have been widely used for decades and are trusted by most
dentists, providing a reliable treatment outcome.

Dental implant components

The three main parts of most dental implants are the Fixture AKA implant post, abutment and
crown.

Fixture (implant post)

The fixture is a screw inserted into the jawbone during a short surgical procedure using
advanced computer guided surgery. The actual fixture looks a little like the root of your tooth,
which is precisely the way it’s designed, so if you see an implant post, you may notice its end is
tapered just like a real tooth root.

Dental fixtures are available in a huge variety of different diameters, ensuring dentists can
choose the most appropriate diameter for the tooth requiring restoration.

For example, a narrow diameter implant is more suited for smaller teeth such as incisors while
a larger diameter is more suitable for larger teeth such as a molar. Dental implant posts also
varies according to the size and location of the tooth to be replaced.

One the most used fixtures may be 18 mm in length, and for example, mini dental implants
tend to have longer posts for greater strength and stability. A conventional dental fixture is
hollow so that the abutment can be screwed onto the fixture.
A three-piece implant design allows the implant posts to be covered up for osseointegration, so
it isn’t necessarily restored immediately with the prosthesis. Instead, the abutment is attached
later when the implant dentist is ready to fabricate and fit the implant prosthesis.

Following the surgical placement of the implant, it will take approximately 4-6 months to heal
before the next step in the dental implant process can begin.

Abutment

The abutment is a small connector piece that sits between the implant post and the prosthetic.
One side is designed to screw into the inside of the implant post, while the other side is used to
adhere a dental prosthetic. There are different types of abutments that may be used
depending on the type of prosthetic that needs to be supported. For example, a dental crown
may simply look like a stumpy screw, while an abutment used for an implant-supported
denture may have special attachments that can clip onto the denture. Some abutments can
also be placed at different angles to ensure a natural appearance once the prosthetic is
attached. Depending on the technique used by your implant dentist, the abutment may be
placed at the same time as the implant post or it may be screwed into the post after
osseointegration has occurred.

Custom made abutments can be fabricated at the dental laboratory after an impression of the
top of the implant is made with the adjacent teeth and gingiva. The size, shape and material
depend on the patient’s needs and the location of teeth.

Prosthetic

The term prosthetic in most cases is used to refer to a limb replacement, usually an arm or a
leg.

When it comes to dental implants, however, a prosthetic refers to an artificial tooth. By

definition, a prosthetic is an artificial part of the body, and when you are discussing a dental
implant prosthetic, you are referring to two different parts, the metal insert that connects to
the jawbone and the actual tooth itself.

Prosthetic can be made from a variety of materials such as porcelain or ceramic, and it can
either be screwed into place or cemented on the abutment.

Depending on the number of teeth being replaced you can have a prosthetic:

Crown: dental crown will be attached to the abutment if a single tooth is being
replaced. Dental crowns are typically ceramic, or a mixture of metal and porcelain. To create a
natural looking tooth replacement, the crown will be is screwed or cemented onto the
abutment.

Bridge: If you are replacing several teeth in a row, a dental bridge may be used. Bridges are
usually made from porcelain and are attached to just two implants which hold it securely in
place. The artificial teeth in a dental bridge will be color matched in order to blend in with the
natural teeth.

Denture: For patients who are replacing a full jaw of teeth, an implant supported denture can
be used. Conventional dentures rest on the gums and are held in place by suction. Implant
supported dentures are held securely in place with the help of dental implants. Implant
supported dentures can give patients a natural looking smile. These dental restorations are
typically made with either plastic or porcelain teeth attached to an acrylic base which is
colored to look like the natural gum line.