Glossary:
Abutment : An abutment us used in implant dentistry to attach the crown, bridge or denture to the implant fixture. Abutment can be made from a variety of material. Some practices neglect to include this in the price when quoting for “Dental implants”- make sure yours has!!!
Abutment screw: The screw that clamps the abutment onto the implant.
All on 4/Teeth in a day: All on 4 is a trademark of NobelBiocare, an implant company that pioneered the technique of replacing a full set of teeth on 4 implants. Generally, the teeth can be extracted, implants placed, and a temporary prosthesis fitted in one day, avoiding the need to be without any teeth.
Bone Grafting/ Regeneration: A bone graft is used to recreate bone where it has been lost due to gum disease or a prolonged period without teeth. Bone grafting materials commonly used include synthetic bone or a material derived from animals. Bone can also be taken from other parts of the body (ex. hip) if a more significant procedure is required.
Bone Resorption: This may happen when a tooth is removed and not replaced. The bone where the tooth used to be disappears / resorbs. This can be severe in edentulous (toothless) patients as the gums recede. This can have a big impact on facial appearance. Dental implants preserved bone when fitted so avoid this happening.
Bridge: A bridge is a restoration which a missing tooth by joining to two adjacent teeth i.e. bridging the gap created by the missing tooth.
Bruxism: Constant grinding or clenching or teeth during the day or night.
Caries: Also known as tooth decay is an infection that causes damage to the bone/enamel eventually causing cavities. If left this can cause pain, tooth loss and further infection.
Canines: The sharp, pointed teeth between the incisors at the front of the mouth and premolars / molars at the back.
Cerec: A type of milling machine which allows a dentist to manufacture a crown in the practice.
Crown: A crown is a cap which is tooth shaped and placed over a tooth or abutment to restore its size and appearance. Crowns can be made from a variety of materials including metals, porcelain and resin.
CT Scan: A computerised tomography scan is a special kind of xray which gives a dentist image of the mouth in 3D so the dentist can make an in depth analysis.
Custom abutment: A type that is custom made in a dental laboratory.
Dental implant: A titanium device placed into bone that replaces the root of a tooth and enables the attachment of a prosthesis.
Denture: A denture (false teeth) is an artificial device made to replace missing teeth. These can be removable or fixed.
Edentulous: Toothless
Extraction: The removal of a tooth surgically.
Gingival: Your gums.
Healing Abutment: A healing abutment is placed into the implant to help the soft tissue/gum heal around the implant after surgery.
Restoration: The structure that replaces the missing teeth.
Immediate implant placement: The placement of an implant at the time of tooth extraction.
Immediate loading: Technique in which implants are placed and restores with a prosthesis during the same appointment.
Implant-retained fixed overdenture: A non-removable prosthesis that atttached to 4,6 or 8 implants.
Implantologist: A general term applied to a dentist who provides services with dental implants.
Incisors: The front four (anterior) cutting teeth in the mouth.
IntraOral: Inside the mouth.
IntraOral scanner: A special camera that scans the teeth and inside if the mouth to provide the information needed for a dental technician to fabricate new teeth. This avoids the need for impression taking which some people can find uncomfortable.
Mandible: The lower jaw.
Maxilla: The upper jaw.
Molar: Molars are teeth to the rear of your mouth.
Osseointegration: The term used for the natural process by which the osseous tissues in bone integrate / fuse with the implants.
Occlusion: Any contact between biting or chewing surfaces of upper and lower teeth.
One stage implants: Implants that are exposed to the oral cavity on the day they are placed.
Oral hygiene: The process of keeping the mouth and teeth clean to prevent problems.
Overdenture: Traditional dentures that attach onto dental implants.
Prosthetic Prosthesis: An artificial device to replace a part of the body.
Restoration: A restoration is used to restore the functionally and aesthetics of a messing tooth.
Root Canal: A root canal is a space within the root of a tooth housing soft tissue such as nerves and blood vessels.
Sinus Lift: A process by which the dentist increases the size of the bone in the upper jaw into the sinus (nasal cavity) to make sure there is enough to hold an implant.
Tooth Root: Part of the tooth embedded into the jaw bone.
Two-staged implants: Implants that are covered by gum tissue immediately after placement. A second surgery is necessary to uncover them.
Zirconia: A ceramic material used to make dental restorations including abutments and crowns. This can be a better material for highly visible dental restorations in that it is white. It lacks strength of metal, so cannot be used in certain situations, where a lot of stress will be placed on it.
Reported by Manual of dental implants: A reference guide for diagnosis and treatment and dental implant information.
Call Dental Implants Greenville NC (252) 391-9333