Three parts
A dental implant tooth is built in three layers.1
- Implant body (fixture). A titanium post placed in the jawbone that fuses to the bone.1
- Abutment. The part that rises above the gum line and connects the implant to the tooth.1
- Crown, bridge or denture. The visible tooth or teeth, fitted on top of the abutment.1
The FDA lists the parts of an implant system as the implant body and the abutment, and in some systems an abutment fixation screw that holds the abutment to the implant.2 The ADA describes the implant as a post placed in the upper or lower jaw that acts as an anchor for replacement teeth.3
What the parts are made of
Most implant systems are made of titanium or zirconium oxide (zirconia).2 The FDA requires implant materials to be considered safe for medical use by ISO or ASTM International.2 The crown on top can be ceramic, metal-ceramic or another restorative material; see the crown materials topic.
What implants support
An implant can support a single crown, a bridge across several teeth, or a full denture.2 The FDA describes the purpose of an implant as restoring a person's ability to chew or their appearance.2
Regulation
In the United States, dental implants and abutments are medical devices regulated by the FDA.2 The FDA suggests that patients ask their dentist which brand and type of implant is being used and keep notes of the discussion.2
Imaging after treatment
The FDA advises people with dental implants to tell health care providers and imaging technicians about them before any MRI or x-ray procedure.2
General information about dental implants. Treatment decisions are made with a licensed dentist.
Sources
- AAOMS (MyOMS.org): How Do Dental Implants Work?. myoms.org
- U.S. FDA: Dental Implants, What You Should Know. fda.gov
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy): Implants. mouthhealthy.org
