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Implants

What Are Dental Implants Made Of? The Different Components

From single tooth replacements to full mouth restorations, Yorkshire Dental Suite are experts in dental implants. Enquire now.

Multiple materials are needed to make a dental implant. Which are used for your specific smile will depend on multiple factors, including the clinic you go to and your treatment budget.

Dental implant parts and their purpose

There are many different components of dental implants. Each plays a key part in the treatment – let’s discuss.

  1. Post: This is the part of an implant that is surgically inserted into the jawbone. Its main purpose is to hold the following components in place and encourage osseointegration, where the jawbone and implant successfully fuse together.
  2. Abutment: An abutment is what follows next. It connects a bridge and/or crown to the post – to do this, the small abutment is threaded into the implant.
  3. Crown: If you are having just one implant, your dentist will then fit a crown. Resembling your natural tooth, the crown is placed onto the abutment and covered with composite to hide the screw.
  4. Bridge: If you are having more than one implant, a bridge is the very last component to fit. This appliance, which can hold up to 10-14 individually placed crowns, is screwed onto the abutment.

What do dental implants look like?

A dental implant is meticulously designed to look just like your natural teeth. The only visible part of the implant is the beautiful white crown, while the abutment and post remains hidden beneath the gums. This allows the implant to seamlessly blend into your smile.

What are dental implants made of?

Numerous materials are needed to create your dental implant. Depending on the clinic you go to and your budget, the materials used for your new smile will differ from other patients.

Post

Typically, only one material is used for an implant post – titanium. In rarer cases, zirconia may be used if the patient requires a metal-free implant. The benefits of titanium are plentiful:

  • Biocompatible: Supports successful osteointegration.
  • Resistant to corrosion: Helps the implant to remain intact for as long as possible.
  • Extremely strong: Can withstand forces caused by chewing and biting.

There are multiple grades of titanium. Grades 1, 2, 3 and 4 are considered to be pure titanium, whereas grade 5 is blended with approximately 6% aluminium and 4% vanadium for added durability.

Yorkshire Dental Suite uses: Grade 5 titanium, the gold standard in implantology

Abutment

  • Compared to a dental implant post, the materials used for an abutment is much more varied. Your options are the following:
  • Titanium: A metal renowned in dentistry for its durability and biocompatibility.
  • Zirconia: A strong synthetic mineral which is highly resistant to wear and abrasion.
  • Surgical stainless steel: An iron-based alloy recognised to have exceptional resistance to corrosion.
  • Gold: A strong, durable precious metal with an impressive lifespan.

Bridge

In this instance, we are solely discussing the bridge itself, not the crowns that are attached on top. Your choices typically include:

  • Zirconia: Offers both superior durability and a beautiful, ultra-natural smile.
  • Acrylic: A soft and lightweight option, often worn as a temporary bridge while your permanent one is created.
  • Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM): A popular choice, thanks to its natural appearance and durability.

Yorkshire Dental Suite uses: Zirconia or PMMA acrylic

Crown

Many patients opt for a zirconia or porcelain crown as they are the most natural looking. However, these aren’t the only materials available:

  • Zirconia: Strong, has an ultra-aesthetic appearance.
  • Porcelain: Its translucency and iridescence is identical to a natural tooth.
  • Silver crown: Resistant to corrosion, very visible in the mouth.
  • Gold crown: Hard wearing but may wear down adjacent teeth.

Yorkshire Dental Suite uses: Porcelain-coated zirconia

How tooth implants are made

Yorkshire Dental Suite has a dedicated laboratory that allows unparalleled control over the prototyping, materials and design of each implant, crown and bridge. With over 700 full arch cases designed in-house and 100+ years of combined lab experience, we are experts in beautiful teeth.

Every detail is meticulously thought out to fit the patient’s unique anatomy and smile vision. Here is just some of the technology we use to bring your new teeth to life:

  1. CAD/CAM digital design: Digital modelling for smile design, implant planning and bespoke restorations.
  2. Sprintray 3D printing: Rapid fabrication of provisional restorations with surgical accuracy.
  3. Roland milling systems: Milling precision for crowns, bridges and full arch prosthetics.

Conclusion:

If you have been considering dental implant treatment but held back for whatever reason, consider this your sign to start. After all, no deserves to be living in pain or ashamed of their teeth. Book your consultation today.