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Stages of Dental Implant Restorations
Replacing a tooth with an implant is a procedure that consists of three separate stages: the implant fixture, the abutment, and the crown.
Stage 1: The Implant Fixture
The implant fixture is the portion of the dental implant that lies below the gum line and acts as the artificial root for the replacement tooth. It is typically a titanium screw that is surgically placed into the jawbone. After placement it is left untouched for four to six months. During this time the surgical site heals and the dental implant anchors itself, or osseointegrates, to the surrounding bone.
Stage 2: The Abutment
Once the implant site has healed and the implant fixture has osseointegrated to the bone, a post or “abutment” is placed into the implant. The abutment is usually screwed into the implant about four to six months after the implant fixture was surgically placed. The abutment lies above the gum line and acts as a support for the final crown.
Stage 3: The Crown
After the abutment is placed, an impression is taken and sent to a dental laboratory. This impression provides the laboratory with the information needed to fabricate a dental crown. The crown is usually made out of all porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal. The crown is returned to the restorative dentist who then permanently cements it onto the abutment.
