How Do Dental Implants Work?

How Do Dental Implants Work?

If you are one of the 70% of Americans missing at least one tooth, you might have looked into tooth replacement options. While you have several choices to replace your teeth, dental implants are the only way to replace both your missing tooth and its root. Find out dental implantsmore about what dental implants can do and how they work with help from your Fort Lauderdale, FL dentist.

The Parts of a Dental Implant
Knowing the parts of a dental implant tends to help patients better understand exactly how they work. The separate components which make up a dental implant include:

  • Implant Fixture: The fixture is the actual implant itself. It is a small, biocompatible titanium cylinder surgically implanted into the jawbone below a missing tooth. By integrating into the bone, the fixture replaces the tooth’s root and provides a long-lasting and sturdy foundation for the replacement tooth.
  • Abutment: The abutment serves as the connector between the fixture and the prosthetic tooth.
  • Prosthesis: The prosthetic tooth, called a crown, is made from porcelain, a super-strong and durable material with many of the same light-reflecting qualities of a natural tooth. This is the same type of restoration used to strengthen weakened teeth, often after a root canal.

Are there different kinds of dental implants? 
While the idea stays the same, dental implants replace teeth several different ways:

  • Replacing one tooth: A fixture implanted into the bone underneath the missing tooth serves as a replacement root. The crown sits on top of the implant to replace the actual tooth. Your new tooth will feel and function exactly like your natural teeth while blending in with them seamlessly.
  • Replacing several teeth: Instead of implanting a fixture for every tooth, strategically placed implants support a permanently fixed bridge to fill the gap between healthy teeth without compromising them. An implant on either side holds the restoration in place.
  • Replacing all teeth: This option is best for Fort Lauderdale patients who have lost all of the teeth on their upper or lower arch. Known as All-on-4, four dental implants spread throughout the arch of the mouth hold a permanent row of teeth in place. Some patients may need additional implants to ensure a secure fit.
  • Supporting dentures: Removable dentures usually stay in place thanks to suction or simply gravity. This gives them ample room to move or fall out. Implant supported dentures latch onto the implant, giving it a sturdy foundation. This keeps your dentures in place and makes eating and speaking easier.

If you are considering dental implants, Dr. David Erdman, DDS in Fort Lauderdale, FL can help you determine if they are the right tooth replacement option for you. Simply call (954) 564-1605 to request your appointment for a consultation.