The different components of an implant

Permanently fixing prosthetic teeth to an implant involves several steps and several components.

• The prosthetic teeth cannot be cemented or screwed to the implant as this would cause irritation of the gum and bone.
• It is therefore necessary to use an intermediate piece, called an implant abutment, which is screwed into the implant.
• This abutment provides access to the gum.
• The prosthetic teeth are then cemented or screwed to the abutment.
• The abutment can be made of titanium or zirconium (ceramic) for the front teeth.
• The implant is usually screwed in flush with the bone.

• Cover screws are used in implant mounting techniques using two-stage surgery.
• The implant has threads for prosthetic pieces to be screwed in.
• At the end of the surgical procedure, this thread is sealed by means of a flat screw: the cover screw.
• This is removed in a second surgical procedure and is replaced with a healing ring or abutment.

• The prosthetic teeth and the prosthetic abutment have to penetrate the gum.
• After the implant is mounted, access to the implant threading has to be maintained through the mouth cavity in order to allow the various pieces to be screwed in.
• To do this, a healing cap or abutment is placed, temporarily, on the implant threading to prevent natural coverage by the gum.
• This healing cap is very important as it guides the healing process. It is replaced permanently by the prosthetic abutment at a later stage.