Q&A: Dental Implant Lingo

If you have been seeking out ways to address your tooth loss, you will quickly discover that dental implants will require you to learn a whole new set of terms. First, allow us to say that we certainly applaud individuals who take their teeth replacement education seriously. However, we understand that familiarizing yourself with the details in the midst of learning new vocabulary can become quite frustrating. Do yourself a wonderful favor and take a break. Allow us to provide you with answers to questions patients frequently ask us about implant-related words, so you can move forward with the knowledge you need.

Questions and Answers About Dental Implants

Question: I keep hearing about osseointegration but I don’t know what it is – or what is has to do with dental implants. What is it?

Answer: Osseointegration is a term used to explain a process that occurs after implant placement. Your jawbone tissue will fuse with the implant over the course of several months.

Question: I thought that a dental implant was a post that replaces my roots, which then supports a dental crown to replace the part of my tooth that is visible. Is this correct? If so, what are implant dentures?

Answer: It’s true that a single implant is composed of a post that supports a crown. In addition, multiple implant options include the use of implants that support a larger prosthetic restoration, such as a bridge or denture (often referred to as implant bridges or implant dentures). This requires fewer implants than the amount of teeth you are missing.

Question: I have heard about peri-implantitis – what is it and is it something I can avoid?

Answer: Peri-implantitis is essentially periodontal disease that occurs around your implant. As the result of bacteria, inflammation of your periodontal tissues occurs, which can lead to implant failure. Fortunately, brushing and flossing according to our directions can prevent this problem.