Abutment:
The connecting piece that allows the dentist to attach the replacement tooth to the titanium implant. Over the course of treatment, your dentist may utilize two abutments, a healing abutment which is in place while your gum tissue is healing, and a permanent abutment.
Bone Grafting:
A surgical procedure that replaces missing bone with a material called bone graft. This material not only replaces missing bone, but also helps your body to regrow lost bone. This new bone growth strengthens the grafted area by forming a bridge between your existing bone and the graft. Over time the newly formed bone will replace much of the grafted material. Bone grafts are needed when part of your body is missing bone. For more information about bone grafts.
Edentulous:
Without teeth. Patients may be described as fully edentulous when they are missing all their teeth, or partially edentulous when they are missing some of their teeth.
Casting Try-In
A metal framework is fabricated by the dental laboratory. This framework is given to the dentist who checks it in the patient's mouth to insure proper seating and fit. The metal framework is then sent back to the lab, which then fabricates the porcelain or acrylic teeth and completes the Tissue Integrated Prosthesis.
Conversion Prosthesis:
An interim fixed-prosthesis that the patient wears from the time of uncovering of implants until the final prosthesis is completed. This prosthesis is made from the removable denture or temporary prosthesis that the patient has been wearing since first stage surgery. This removable prosthesis is modified into a fixed prosthesis. It allows the patient to experience the benefits of dental implants immediately after the implants are uncovered.
Fixture:
Another name for the titanium dental implant which serves as the artificial tooth root.
Osseointegration:
The biological process by which living bone (osseo) fuses with the titanium dental implant to form a man-made tooth root.
Pterygomaxillare:
The point where the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone and the pterygoid process of the maxilla begin to form the pterygomaxillary fissure.
Pterygomaxillary:
Relating to the pterygoid process and the maxilla.
Resorption:
The physical process by which bone shrinks and deteriorates.
Tissue Integrated Prosthesis
A fixed prosthesissupported by dental implants. There are two type of tissue integrated prosthesis.
Traditional Brånemark Prosthesis uses acrylic teeth that are supported by a metal framework. It is usually used for the lower arch when there is also an upper TIP present. The acrylic teeth on this prosthesis provide a cushion for the upper porcelain teeth.
Porcelain-Metal Tissue Integrated Prosthesis is usually used in the upper arch. This prosthesis looks more natural and is stronger than the Traditional Brånemark prosthesis.
