An Implant Dentist in Framingham Explains How Dental Implants Are Put Together

Dental implants from an implant dentist in Framingham are designed to last for decades. That’s because they’re crafted from medical-grade materials that are not only strong but exceptionally lightweight. Modern dental implants are indistinguishable from natural teeth.

 How Dental Implants Are Created

Dental implants are made up of three separate components. These include the fixture, the abutment, and the restoration itself. Here’s how they fit together:

  1. The fixture. This is what gives the implant its remarkable strength. It consists of a tiny titanium fixture that sits beneath the gum line and fuses to the bones in your jaw, just like the roots of a natural tooth. Dentists use titanium for this purpose, the same metal used to make airplane wings.
  2. The abutment. This is what joins the fixture to the restoration itself. It’s added after the fixture fuses to the underlying bone through a natural process called osseointegration.
  3. The restoration. Sometimes called the “prosthesis,” this is the artificial tooth, denture, or bridge that serves as the visible tooth. It’s made from a mixture of ceramic and other materials.

How Dental Implant Therapy Works

Dental implant therapy occurs in stages. The first step is to emplace the fixture. Like any other form of dental surgery, this is performed using anesthesia and sedatives for your comfort.

The dentist will place the fixture underneath the gum line and close the surrounding tissue over the area of treatment. A waiting period of 2-3 months normally follows this phase. This is to allow the surrounding bone to fuse with the fixture.

During your second visit, the dentist will place the abutment. He or she may also place the restoration itself at this time. Once it’s ready, you’ll be ready to show off your fully restored smile to the world.

Taking Care of Your Dental Implants