Unbiased oral health information

Glossary

Dental implants

Devices made of surgical-grade titanium which are placed beneath the gums (most often into bone), and used as anchor points for dental restorations, including crowns, fixed bridges, and removable partial dentures.
Learn more: Procedures › Dental implants

X-ray shows missing premolar tooth replacement with dental implant supported crown

Figure 1: A periapical X-ray image showing the patient's upper right teeth and a dental implant, which was placed and restored with a crown when tooth #5 was removed.

Common features of a tapered root form dental implant include hydroxyapatite coated or plasma sprayed threads, a polished collar, and hexagonal antirotation feature

Figure 2: Common features of a tapered root form dental implant include hydroxyapatite coated or otherwise surface-modified threads to improve bone integration; a polished collar; and an anti-rotation feature to keep the abutment from spinning on the implant.

A missing molar tooth has been replaced with a single dental implant restored with a crown

Figure 3: Nearly any tooth in the jaw can be replaced with a dental implant. Once restored with a crown, they are nearly indistinguishable from natural teeth.

Common dental implant terminology including antirotation feature, platform, and osteotomy are illustrated

Figure 4: Common dental implant nomenclature is illustrated.