When you were a child, a missing tooth was cause for celebration, and depositing it under your pillow yielded a fortune in loose change. Best of all, you knew a brand new tooth would always grow in to fill the gap in your smile.

Adults tend to view tooth loss a little differently – there’s no cash prize anymore, nor will any more natural teeth appear to replace your pearly whites. However, your dentist can still restore a natural-looking smile with a variety of options, including prosthetics and dental implants. These appliances are even secure enough to allow normal speaking and chewing, thanks to a strong foundation, called an abutment.

A-what-ment?

An abutment is a fixed point in your mouth used to anchor an artificial tooth or prosthesis. Typically, your dentist will use your surrounding teeth to hold new dental work in place. In other cases, he or she may implant a small post to provide a proper fit. Because the new tooth (or teeth) is fastened to the sturdiest parts of your smile, it feels and functions similar your natural teeth.

When is an Abutment Needed?

There are several scenarios when your dentist will need to use an abutment. For bridges and partial dentures, which can have one or more artificial teeth attached, your natural teeth provide adequate support. In the case of dental implants, your dentist will place a specially created metal abutment for each new tooth.

- Dental Bridges -- Because dental bridges don’t need to be removed once they are placed, the false teeth are permanently attached to dental crowns on the surrounding “abutment” teeth.

- Removable Partial Dentures -- Unlike bridgework, partial dentures are removable and attach to tiny clasps on your natural teeth or dental crowns. As with bridges, these abutments share the pressure of chewing in order allow normal tooth function.

- Dental Implants -- For dental implants, your dentist or oral surgeon actually creates a metal abutment in your jaw for maximum support. This small post provides an anchor strong enough for a crown to be placed on top without being fixed to other teeth.


Talk to Your Dentist

Whether you’re experiencing natural tooth loss, have had an injury to the mouth or must have one or more teeth extracted, it’s important to discuss your condition with your dentist. Not only can a missing tooth affect your ability to eat certain foods or speak clearly, it may be a sign of infection or gum disease, which can affect other healthy teeth in your mouth.

During your appointment, your dentist can recommend the best method for restoring your smile. Ask as many questions as you can, including finding out what type of abutment your dentist will use, to ensure you’ll be fully satisfied with the end result.

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