After the implant has bonded to the bone, a connection post (abutment) will be placed so that your dentist can fabricate your new replacement tooth. If a cap was placed on the implant after surgery, the cap is simply unscrewed and the abutment placed.

If the implant was covered by gum tissue, the implant must be uncovered to attach a temporary cap, and then the gum tissue is allowed to heal for one to two weeks.

There are many different types of abutments, including custom abutments, which are typically used for anterior cases where esthetic considerations are important. Your dentist and surgical specialist will recommend the appropriate abutment for your situation.

Once the abutments are attached, impressions are taken of your teeth, implants and abutments, so that your replacement teeth can be fabricated from an exact replicate of your mouth. If you are wearing temporary replacement teeth, your dentist or surgical specialist will be able to modify them so that they can be worn until the final replacement teeth are fabricated.

Fabrication of Replacement Teeth

In the final phase of treatment, your dentist creates and fits the replacement teeth to the abutments. Your new teeth are designed after careful assessment of both the functional and cosmetic requirements.

This process involves making impressions of your mouth, then adjusting the teeth during the fabrication process until the replacement teeth are the proper size, shade, color and fit.

During the fabrication process, the models made from the impressions of your mouth are sent to the dental laboratory technician who will actually fabricate your new replacement teeth.

Depending on whether your individual case is complicated, or you are replacing all of your teeth, there could be several appointments necessary to adjust the replacement teeth to achieve the ideal fit and function.