Dental Implants Glossary

Abutment

An abutment is a small connector or object between two or more elements. It is used to connect a crown or some other form of dental restoration device to the implant fixture.  The abutment attaches the implant to a replacement tooth to keep the tooth affixed in place.  Post-surgery a healing abutment will likely be visible just above the gum line. Abutments often consist of titanium or stainless steel materials, but a ceramic abutment may also be constructed for patients who desire a natural look.

Alveolar Ridge

The Alveolar Ridge is the location or area of the jawbone where the teeth anchor, and it is the place where an implant is affixed. In the mouth, this small bump is located behind the upper front teeth and can be felt with the tongue. The Alveolar Ridge is a key structure for proper speech, as the tongue touches this area when forming consonant sounds. It is one of the two ridges in the jaw and an extension of the mandible or maxilla.

Anesthesia

This is a medical instrument that is utilized during medical procedures and surgeries. It is employed to prevent a patient from experiencing pain and is carefully controlled and monitored at all times. The effects of anesthesia are temporary as once it is stopped, a patient will regain consciousness, awareness, and sensation. Anesthesia can be administered via gas or through an injection. There are three types of anesthesia available to patients—general, local, or regional. Some forms of anesthesia will put a patient to sleep, and others will simply prevent pain and numb a certain area of the body.

Bone Graft

A bone graft is a surgical procedure to build up bone structure in the Alveolar Ridge before implant placement. In this procedure, the bone may be transferred from another body part and used in the jaw. Additionally, donor tissue may be used, and synthetic material may also be employed. The graft will ultimately fuse to the existing bone and will enable healing. The cells inside the new bone will seal themselves to the old bone.

Bone Loss

When a tooth or teeth are missing, and the underlying bone does not receive appropriate stimulation, bone loss can occur on the jawbone as it resorbs and a decrease in bone density is experienced.  Should significant bone loss in the jawbone occur and tissue deteriorates, the ability to place dental implants successfully can be impacted. Additionally, when bone loss occurs in the mouth, it can affect the structure of the face. If bone loss goes untreated, it can result in the loss of additional teeth as well as disease and pain.

Bridge

Called a pontic in the dental world, a bridge, as they pertain to dental implants, is a false tooth held in place through abutment teeth placed on either side of a gap. If a patient is missing more than one tooth, a dental bridge is likely a better option than an implant alone. Traditional bridges involve creating a crown for the tooth or implant and filling the gap to help a person restore their bite, improve their smile, and enhance oral health.

Ceramic

When faced with a patient who experiences a metal allergy, it could be ideal to fit them with an implant made of ceramic as an alternative. This type of implant is made of clay, which has subsequently been hardened at a high temperature.  Ceramic implants look quite natural and are similar in their color to real teeth. Usually, a ceramic implant is made of Zirconium and Oxygen and is a “one-piece” design. Finally, they do not have a removable abutment.

Crown

Also known within the dental industry as a “cap,” a crown tends to be a single prosthetic tooth. It is attached to the abutment on an implant. A crown will restore a missing or a damaged tooth to its normal size, shape, and overall function—and it can help improve the look of the tooth as well as the way it functions in the mouth. Crowns can be made from many materials, including ceramic, porcelain, metal alloys, and more.

Dental Implant

A dental implant refers to the screw or the post that serves as an artificial tooth root. They are surgically implanted onto the jawbone and key in holding a replacement tooth or a dental bridge in place. They are most commonly needed by individuals who have lost a tooth or multiple teeth.  An abutment is placed onto or built into the top of the dental implant, which ultimately connects it to the replacement tooth, also known as a crown.

Dental Prosthesis

A dental prosthesis can refer to a wide range of things, including bridges, dentures, crowns, and implants. These items can be used to ultimately correct intraoral defects related to missing teeth, damaged teeth, and more. Some dental prostheses can be removed, such as dentures, and others are fixed directly in the mouth and are permanent. Additionally, some are made of materials that resemble a person’s natural teeth and can help a person improve the functionality of their mouth and eliminate pain.

Dentures

This is a removable plate or frame that holds one or more artificial teeth as well as surrounding tissue. An older form of a dental prosthesis, Dentures usually require replacement every three or four years. There are two types of dentures available—complete and partial. Dentures must be cleaned regularly, and depending on the type of denture, there can be some issues with just how natural the dental prosthesis looks when worn by an individual.

Edentulism

This is another term that is used to indicate tooth loss or toothlessness. It typically refers to the condition when there is a complete loss of all of a person’s natural teeth.  Edentulism is a serious condition that can truly and significantly reduce an individual’s quality of life, appearance, self-image, as well as their ability to function on a daily basis. Tooth loss is a typical result of dental decay and periodontitis (gum disease).

Endosteal Implant

This type of dental implant is placed in a patient’s jawbone to serve as an artificial root. It is used to hold a replacement tooth in place securely and is usually used when a patient has lost a tooth. An endosteal implant is widely recognized as the most common type of implant used in dentistry. They are made from titanium and shaped like a small screw. While they are placed in the jawbone, they protrude through the gum to hold the new tooth.

Extraction

Simply put, this means removing a tooth from the patient’s mouth. Tooth extraction was one of the most prominent dental procedures, but as technology has changed, it has become less common. Tooth extraction is usually performed in cases of dental disease, trauma, or tooth crowding.

Implant-Retained Denture

An implant-retained denture is a form of dental prosthesis held securely in place by attaching to four to six implants that are then placed along the jaw.  This form of denture cannot be removed, except with the assistance of a dental professional. This denture can replace multiple missing teeth located throughout the mouth or even an entire row of teeth. Then, a partial or full denture can be placed on top of this abutment, offering a patient the ability to have a full smile once again.

Jawbone

The jawbone is the bone responsible for forming the structure of the mouth and has the purpose of keeping teeth held in place. The lower part of the jaw is called the mandible, and the upper part of the jaw is called the maxilla.  The jawbone is commonly the primary foundation for dental implants.

Local Anesthetic

This type of medication is used to numb an area of the body where surgery is set to be performed.  It usually encompasses a one-time injection of medicine, such as lidocaine.  The patient who receives a local anesthetic will remain conscious and alert while the surgery or procedure is taking place. Still, they should not experience any pain and will potentially only feel some pressure. Local anesthetics make it possible to perform many surgeries quickly, with less preparation, and enable the patient to experience a faster recovery time.

Osseointegration

This refers to the biological process where existing bone fuses with a dental implant forming a strong bond. It is the direct structural and functional connection between living bone and the surface of a load-bearing artificial implant. Osseointegration usually takes three to four months after a procedure is performed for it to be considered complete.  Once the implant has integrated itself with the bone, then the permanent dental prosthesis can be implemented and will be able to handle the pressure associated with chewing and biting.

Overdenture

This is a form of dental prosthesis that is removable. It attaches to dental implants through the utilization of balls or bars and is supported by soft tissue. Overdentures are a great alternative compared to traditional dentures, as they are designed to eliminate the possibility of slippage or not staying in place in an individual’s mouth.

Periodontist

This refers to a dental professional specializing in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease. A periodontist is also able to oversee the placement of dental implants. They study the branch of dentistry that deals with diseases associated with the supporting and investing structures of the teeth, such as the gums, cementum, periodontal membranes, and Alveolar bone. The first known use and/or introduction of this branch of dentistry occurred in 1944.

Replacement Tooth

This is commonly recognized as a permanent crown that is affixed and implemented to replace a missing tooth.  A replacement tooth can function like a natural tooth would and is commonly created to match the color of the surrounding teeth in order to blend in. A replacement tooth is most often introduced when a person has lost a tooth due to disease, injury, damage, or tooth extraction.

Sedation

This refers to the anesthesia used to enable a patient to relax and be comfortable during a surgical procedure. Once a sedative drug is administered, the patient should achieve a state of calm or go to sleep entirely. The sedative will reduce the patient’s awareness of the environment around them and control their responsiveness to external stimulation, including pain.

Soft Tissue Graft

This graft refers to the transplantation of a small amount of gum tissue from one location within the mouth to another location. The soft tissue graft is most usually performed to improve the appearance of the gums while also supporting replacement teeth. It is designed to restore the gums’ health and repair the damage that can occur when gum recession is present. Soft tissue grafts utilize a local anesthetic to allow the patient to be comfortable.

Subperiosteal Implant

This type of implant is designed to have a metal implant framework that rests right on top of the bone, underlying the periosteum. It creates attachment posts that extend up through the gingival tissue providing an anchor for a dental prosthesis. The implant conforms to the shape of a bone but does not penetrate the mandible.

Teeth-in-a-Day®

A dental process that enables the delivery of implant-supported fixed teeth on the same day that a dental implant is placed in a patient’s mouth. This process was developed in 1993 by Dr. Thomas Balshi and Dr. Glenn Wolfinger at Pi Dental Center and became a registered trademark in 2004. The process itself is unique and allows a patient’s teeth to be completely transformed quickly, efficiently, and safely.

Titanium

Titanium is a metallic element known for its excellent resistance to corrosion, high mechanical resistance, and biocompatibility. It is widely used within the dental industry and presents high success rates and a high-quality biological response when it comes in contact with live tissue. Bone-anchored titanium has become a widely used and routine treatment associated with various dental procedures, including dental implants.

Zirconia

This is another metallic element used in dental procedures, including dental implants. Zirconia is most often employed for patients with an allergy to titanium. It is a strong metal, but where titanium is silver in color, zirconia is white. Like titanium, zirconia is incredibly biocompatible and has a favorable response when it comes in contact with live tissue.

Learn More About Dental Implants

Contact Metrolina Periodontics & Dental Implants in Charlotte, NC at (704) 544-2224 to schedule a consultation.