Glossary

Dental implants Glossary

Plain-language definitions of the dental implants terms you will hear at Smile Tustin in Tustin, CA.

Abutment

The abutment is the connector piece between a dental implant and the crown.

Osseointegration

Osseointegration is the process by which your dental implant bonds and integrates with the surrounding bone.

Titanium

This is a strong metal that is often used for implants. It is also the same material used to make airplane wings, so you know it is very strong. This metal is also lightweight, which makes it perfect for implants.

Bone Graft

A dental bone graft is a procedure to add more bone in a part of the jaw where bone has been lost or where additional support is needed.

Dental Crown

A crown is an artificial tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over the top of the implant to provide an aesthetically pleasing and fully-functional tooth.

Dentures

A removable plate or frame holding one or more artificial teeth.