As one of the most successful tooth loss treatments, dental implants are a very popular option among patients seeking to restore their smile and confidence. In the following article, we will discuss the dental implant parts that constitute the prosthetic, as well as the types of materials they come in and their unique pros and cons.
Dental Implant Parts
The design of a dental implant is what makes it very successful. Since the dental implant parts mimic the shape of a natural tooth from crown to root, they provide the most natural feel and aesthetic.
Let’s start with the root or as some prefer to call it the post. The root is most commonly a titanium root that your dentist inserts into your jawbone. After placement, the jawbone naturally integrates with the titanium root making the post last up to 25 years.
Next, you have the abutment, which is a small connecting piece between the root and the crown. The abutment goes on top of your root and has a surface design that allows your dentist to later secure the crown on top.
Finally, we have the crown. The crown can come in various materials which we will discuss below. It is the only part of the dental implant parts that will be visible to you. The function of the crown is to look and function like natural teeth.
Dental Implant Parts: Materials
When it comes to the materials of the dental implant parts, each part will vary.
– The Root
The most common material for the root when it comes to dental implant parts is titanium. Its use in dentistry has given it a reputation for high success rates. This is because of the many benefits the material provides. For instance, titanium has high biocompatibility, meaning it makes the integration process with the jawbone go smoothly for a long-lasting and stable placement. So, fewer complications are likely to arise from using it during the healing period.
Moreover, titanium is a material of high durability. It is resistant to corrosion, is lightweight while also being strong. In other words, it makes its fit in the mouth comfortable. Additionally, titanium poses a very low risk of rejection from the body, so it is not likely that you will experience an allergic reaction from it.
However, there is an alternative to titanium when choosing the materials for your dental implant parts. The second option is zirconia, a ceramic material, and is a popular option for patients with metal allergies. While zirconia can successfully integrate with the jawbone, titanium remains the superior alternative due to its strength, longevity, and performance.
– The Abutment
The abutment in the dental implant parts can come in 4 different materials, some more popular than others for the benefits they provide. Top on the list we have titanium, similar to the root, titanium in the abutment is an ideal option because it doesn’t corrode, is strong, and is long-lasting. Likewise, its biocompatible characteristics come into importance allowing it to integrate with the gum tissue after placement. Some may not prefer the abutment in the dental implant parts to be titanium due to its metallic color, which may be slightly visible just above the gums and right underneath the crown.
In this case, you have other options like Zirconia. Zirconia is second only to titanium and is ideal for those with metal allergies and those who prefer a more natural aesthetic to their dental implants. Its benefits include biocompatibility and low allergy rates. On the other hand, although it is durable, it is not as durable as titanium.
The other uncommon options for the abutment include gold and stainless steel. While gold is strong and biocompatible, not many prefer to opt for this option due to the high costs and unnatural aesthetic finish. Whereas stainless steel provides lower biocompatibility to both titanium and zirconia.
– The Crown
The best material for a dental implant crown depends on factors like aesthetics, strength, and budget. For aesthetics, you have porcelain crowns, procelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns, and zirconia crowns.
Porcelain crowns provide the most natural aesthetic because they are made entirely from a ceramic material. Your dentist can easily color-match the crown to your neighboring teeth for a very natural finish. Since they’re metal-free, they’re also ideal for patients with metal allergies. However, they do not rank the highest in terms of strength compared to PFM or zirconia crowns, limiting their applications to the front teeth since the bite force isn’t as strong as the teeth in the back.
Next, we have PFM crowns, this option is ideal in terms of both aesthetics and strength. The metal base provides strength whereas the porcelain gives the crown a natural finish, while they are suitable for both back and front teeth, their aesthetic finish for front teeth is not as excellent as porcelain or zirconia crowns. This is because the metal can show right at the gum line, especially over time. So in other words, opting for PFM is best for back teeth since the metallic undertones may not be as visible as they would be if the prosthetic was on the front teeth.
Next we have zirconia, which is both durable and provides an aesthetic finish. This makes zirconia ideal to withstand the pressure of chewing on the back teeth as well as the aesthetic requirements of the front teeth. Because its metal-free, it is another option for patients with metal allergies to consider.
The Takeaway
Dental implant parts consist of the root, the abutment, and the crown. Each of these units can come in a range of materials, sometimes the choice of the material can be up to you in terms of preference, other times your dentist would advise you as to what is best for your unique case.
In summary, for the root, both titanium and zirconia are popular options, with titanium being the better alternative for its strength and durability. However, both are bio-compatible materials that are safe and will eventually integrate with the jawbone for a stable fit. For the abutment, you have titanium for strength and zirconia for a natural appeal at the gumline.
Finally, we have the crowns which is the finishing step in the dental implant parts. Here zirconia provides both strength and a natural aesthetic finish, making it ideal for back and front teeth. You also have porcelain which takes the crown for providing the most natural appeal, making it ideal for front teeth. Then you have the PFM crowns which provide ideal strength but compromise slightly on the aesthetics where a metallic line can be visible on the gum line. This makes PFM a better fit for enduring the chewing pressure on the back teeth than front teeth where aesthetics are of importance.
Contact us for a free online consultation with medical professionals if you have further questions.