LITMIR.BIZ

Glossary

Abutment: The component of an implant that interfaces with the implant fixture and the prosthetic entity. Retained with a screw or can be adapted for a prosthesis to be cemented. Made of titanium, alloyed metals, gold; zirconia; ceramic. They can be preformed and come as straight or angled or custom made.Analogue: Replica of the implant fixture or the abutment which is used by the laboratory to make the prosthesis.Abutment driver: Instrument used to connect the abutment to the fixture.Abutment healing cap: A temporary cover used to protect the implant fixture head during the healing period.Abutment–implant interface: The surface of contact between the implant fixture and the abutment.Abutment-level impression: Impression of the abutment taken once the abutment is connected to the implant fixture either directly through conventional impressions or indirectly through an impression coping.Abutment Screw: The screw used to connect the abutment to the implant fixture and has different features depending if it is a single crown or a bridge. It is torqued to the final position.Allogenic bone: Bone from the same species.Alloplastic material: Material of synthetic origin that does not have human or animal origin.Anti-rotation: A feature that prevents rotational movementBarrier membrane: A material used to exclude cells from invading into the defect allowing the preferred cells to grow into the defect. When used technique is called guided bone or tissue regeneration. Membrane can be resorbable or non-resorbable. Made of collagen or synthetic derivatives which are resorbable or titanium or polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) which are non resorbable.Bicortical stabilisation: Used when both the superior and inferior cortices of bone are used to obtain stability of the implant.Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ): Also called medication-related necrosis, it is the necrosis of bone related to bisphosphonates.Bone to implant contact: A term used to describe the direct contact of bone to the implant.Bone to implant interface: The line of separation between the living bone and implant fixture surface.CAD-CAM: Computer-aided design computer-aided manufacture used to plan, design and construct implant restorations. It forms part of the digital workflow.Connective tissue attachment: The mechanism by which the connective tissue attaches to the implant.Countersinking: Bone preparation of the crestal aspect using special drivers to allow subcrestal (below the bone) placement of the implant shoulder.Cover screw: Fits over the implant head to protect it when the gum tissue is closed over it and the fixture is submerged.Dental implant: A screw made of titanium that is screwed into the jawbone using specialised and specified techniques to resemble a tooth root.Diagnostic wax up: Procedure in which the teeth are created to match the planned restoration and used in planning and also for construction of a radiographic and surgical guide.Digital workflow: A workflow that uses digital technology to convert analogue structures into a digital format.External connection: The connection that protrudes on top of the implant fixture platform and connects the prosthesis to the fixture.Fixed prosthesis: A prosthesis that is fixed to the implant fixture which the patient cannot remove for cleaning.Fixation screws and tacks: Used to stabilise membranes or block grafts to the underlying bone.Fixture: Endosteal dental implant.Guide drill: The first drill used to open the cortical bone at the implant site during implant surgery.Guided bone regeneration: Technique used to selectively allow bone cells to populate the defect.Healing abutment/cap: Used after the first- or second-stage surgery to connect the implant fixture to the oral cavity.Implant stability: Clinical evaluation of the implant assessing its degree of stability.Implant substructure: The metal framework onto which the crown or prosthesis is connected.Impression coping: A device used to register the position of the dental implant or abutment.Immediate loading: The prosthesis is placed underload at the same time as implant fixture placement.Internal connection: The connection which sits inside the body of the implant fixture and links the implant fixture to the prosthesis. It comes in different configurations.Peri-implant diseases: Include peri-implant mucositis where there is reversible inflammation of the gingival tissues and peri-implantitis where there is irreversible loss of bone with inflammation.Prosthetic screw: Screw used to connect the prosthesis to the abutment.Primary stability: Mechanical stability achieved when the implant fixture is placed. Also knows as the initial stability.Provisional restoration: Temporary restoration placed whilst the tissues are healing.Radiographic marker: A radio-opaque material incorporated into the radiographic guide to show the position.Radiographic stent/guide: Used to direct the position of the tooth in relation to the underlying bone. Worn by the patient when having the radiograph or CT scan.Regeneration: Technique used to reconstitute tissues lost through disease.Surgical guide/template: Used during the surgical implant placement to guide the placement of the implant fixture to be placed in the correct restoratively driven position and angulation.Torque driver: Instrument used to apply the correct level of tightening force (torque) to the screws.Two-stage surgery: When the implant fixture is covered over by the soft tissue and a minor procedure is undertaken to uncover the fixture.