Glossary

Plain-language definitions of common dental implant terms.

Abutment: The connector piece that attaches the visible crown to the implant post below the gumline. Can be made from titanium, zirconia, or a hybrid material.
Osseointegration: The process by which an implant post fuses with surrounding jawbone, anchoring it securely. This typically takes 8–16 weeks and is the foundation of long-term implant stability.
CBCT scan: Cone-beam computed tomography — a 3D X-ray used to plan implant placement. Provides precise mapping of bone volume, nerve location, and sinus position before any drilling.
Bone graft: A procedure that adds bone material to a site with insufficient density to support an implant. Can use the patient's own bone, donor bone, or synthetic substitutes.
Peri-implantitis: Inflammation and progressive bone loss around an implant, similar to gum disease around natural teeth. The leading cause of late implant failure, primarily driven by bacterial plaque.
One-piece implant: An implant system where the post and abutment are a single fused unit. No internal screw connection, but the angle is fixed at placement.
Two-piece implant: An implant system where the post and abutment are separate parts connected after healing. Allows restorative angle correction after the post integrates.
PRF: Platelet-rich fibrin — a preparation derived from a patient's own blood, used at the surgical site by some providers to support healing and tissue regeneration.
Zirconia: A ceramic material (yttria-stabilized zirconium dioxide) used for metal-free implant posts, crowns, and abutments. Strong, biocompatible, and tooth-colored.
Titanium: The metal used in conventional dental implant posts. Highly corrosion-resistant, flexible under load, and backed by 50+ years of clinical data.
E.max: A lithium disilicate ceramic used for dental crowns. Known for superior translucency, making it popular for front-tooth restorations where natural appearance is the priority.
IAOMT: International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology — a professional organization that trains and certifies providers in mercury-safe dentistry and biological dental approaches.
Bruxism: Involuntary teeth grinding, most commonly during sleep. A risk factor for implant mechanical failure, particularly relevant to zirconia implants due to their greater brittleness compared to titanium.
Immediate load: An implant protocol where a temporary crown is attached the same day as placement, rather than waiting for full bone integration. Requires excellent initial bone stability.