Dental implant structure
Author: George Ghidrai, MD
A dental implant restoration consists of 3 main parts:
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Dental implant - A surgical component that interfaces with the bone of the jaw or skull to support a dental prosthesis, such as a crown, bridge, or removable denture.
A surgical procedure is required to place the dental implant inside the jawbone. One or more implants may be necessary for a specific case.
For example, a single implant will be positioned when a tooth is missing. If all teeth from a dental arch are missing, 4 to 8 implants may be required to support the restoration.
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Abutment - Implant abutments are artificial devices that are connected to the dental implants after the healing process is over.
The abutments are used to attach a crown, bridge, or removable denture to the implant fixtures.
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Prosthetic device - Dental implants can support a large variety of prosthetic devices: dental crowns, dental bridges, and various types of implant-supported removable dentures.
Dental implant
Dental implants are metal or zirconia devices surgically inserted into the jawbone.
Structure
Dental implants come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so there is one to suit every clinical situation. An implant is actually an "artificial tooth root"; the implant surface is ribbed for better integration into bone tissue.
dental implants
Implants are also threaded; when screwed into the bone, they collect bone tissue so that the implant is as stable as possible when it integrates into the bone.
Some implants are moulded as one piece with the crown; in this case, the type of the crown is pre-determined. More often, an abutment is attached to the implant after the healing period; this allows for more fine-tuning.
Manufacturing material
In most cases, dental implants are made of titanium. Titanium is the most favored material by most dental clinicians and implant manufacturing companies due to its high biocompatibility, non-allergic and tissue-friendly nature, and its remarkable ability to make a connection of its surface with the alveolar bone for the process of osseointegration.
In addition, zirconia dental implants have recently emerged. Even though they are relatively new, there has been a considerable increase in the use of these dental implants.
Dental implant tool kit
The implantation procedure requires specialized tools. Generally, the manufacturing companies supply the implants along with a specific tool kit.
The dental implant tool kit also contains instruments required for the surgical procedure and the prosthetic phase. The tool kit is supplied together with dental implants and abutments of various shapes and sizes.
Here is what a kit usually consists of:
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titanium surgical drills of various sizes, color-coded
implant insertion tools
insertion tools for artificial abutments and healing abutments
healing abutments and cover screws; these devices are attached to the implants immediately after the surgical placement
different screw keys
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physiodispenser: a device used for bone cooling during surgery; the bone must always be protected from high temperatures to prevent irreversible damage
other supporting elements, may include guide pins, special trays, stents, etc.
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