Dentists are simply a specialized type of doctor – so they use a lot of big words! Advanced treatments like dental implants are particularly common victims of “alphabet soup,” and involve many terms that the average person doesn’t encounter in their day-to-day. If it’s all starting to sound like gibberish, take a step back and read this post. These definitions of five key dental implant terms will help you understand what your dentist is talking about!
#1: Implant Post
When a dentist mentions your “implant post,” they mean the part of your dental implant that will be hidden below your gumline and attached to your jawbone. It may look sort of like a screw and is typically made out of titanium or zirconia.
#2: “Crown”
A traditional dental crown helps restore broken teeth, and fits on top of them like a hat. The “crown” your dentist is referring to when they’re talking about dental implants is simply the false tooth that will sit above your gumline.
#3: Abutment/Abutment Teeth
An “abutment” and “abutment teeth” are actually two completely different things. The “abutment” is a small, metallic part that will sit between your implant post and crown, connecting them together.
Abutment teeth are the pearly whites that support a traditional bridge or denture and may not be involved with your dental implant treatment plan.
#4: “Restoration” vs. “Dental Implant”
The word “restoration” gets thrown around a lot in dentistry, so it’s useful to understand the context surrounding it. For example:
- Restorative dentistry is an umbrella term for treatments that repair or replace natural teeth – think crowns, fillings, dentures, dental implants, etc.
- A dental restoration can refer to any of these treatments, including an entire dental implant system.
- “Restoration” can also be used to differentiate a bridge, crown, or denture from the dental implant that it’s attached to. If your dentist says something like, “I’ll be attaching your restoration to your implant posts,” they really mean “I’ll be attaching your bridge/crown/denture to your implant posts.”
#5: Osseointegration
Osseointegration describes the biological process of your jawbone fusing with your implant post. Or, technically, it describes any bone fusing with any biocompatible medical device – this principle is used in many different prosthetic designs nowadays.
These definitions should help you understand your dentist – and your dental implant treatment – better, but remember: you can always ask for clarification. If a word or concept doesn’t make any sense, your dentist will be happy to explain it so you can feel confident in your care.
About the Author
Dr. Tracy Jenkins has completed advanced dental implant courses at the White Capp Institute Center for Dental Implant Training, and is very detail oriented. He understands the importance of having a clear definition, especially when it comes to complex treatments like dental implants. If you have any questions about the process or other dental implant terms you’ve heard, don’t hesitate to reach out by calling 208-522-8061. Dr. Jenkins will be happy to answer your questions and address your concerns!