Single Tooth Implants
One may be the loneliest number, but when it comes to tooth loss, that may not be a bad thing. Losing a single tooth can be a source of pain in the moment and of inconvenience and embarrassment afterward. Fortunately, there is a solution. Single tooth implants replace a lost tooth permanently and complete any smile seamlessly.
What are Single Tooth Implants?
Single tooth implants are implants designed to replace one missing tooth. Unlike a bridge, implants do so without negatively impacting the surrounding teeth. The implant is made of three components: titanium post, abutment, and crown. The titanium post is drilled directly into the jawbone and replaces the lost tooth’s root. The crown is made of ceramic and offers the functionality and appearance of a real tooth. The abutment bridges the two, securing the crown to the post.
When a tooth is lost, the exposed gums are subject to bacterial infection and other contamination. Single tooth implants permanently fill the gap left by one lost tooth, protecting the gums and surrounding teeth from gum disease and deterioration. Implants look and feel like a real tooth, remaining in place like your natural pearly whites, so while they are important because they protect your oral hygiene, they can also improve confidence and convenience since you won’t need to worry about a gap when you eat or speak.
How Long Does a Single Tooth Implant Last?
Single tooth implants are designed to last a lifetime. With proper care (brushing, flossing, visiting the dentist), people with an implant can be assured that their titanium root will hold. Visit the dentist every six months to keep tabs on how the implant is faring. The crown of a dental implant, especially depending on its position in the mouth, is likely to last for 10 to 15 years.
Especially in the back of the mouth, the crown receives the most wear and tear, but fortunately the process to replace a crown is less extensive than having the entire implant installed. See your dentist to find out if dental implants are right for you.
Can a Single Tooth Be Implanted?
Replacing one tooth is the most common tooth replacement procedure, by a large margin. Single tooth implants are the single-best way to replace one missing tooth without fear of deterioration of the replacement tooth or the tissue and bone surrounding it. When you and your dentist decide it is the right course for you, your dentist will gather size and shape information precisely before the implant is created so you get the perfect fit.
Not all teeth are created equal, and the process to replace them and the subsequent recovery time vary depending on which tooth needs to be replaced. Recovery time after an implant is installed on the lower jaw is typically shorter, since the lower jaw is made of denser bone, making the osseointegration (or fusing) process quicker as a general rule. Replacing a tooth on the upper jaw may require bone grafting from the sinuses if not enough bone is available.
Molars and premolars are most often the first teeth to be lost. They are the most commonly used when eating and are the most susceptible to gum disease and decay. Molars have at least two roots and usually require a “two-phase” treatment sequence: first any remaining roots are removed and the bone grafted. Only after the jaw has healed can the implant be installed. Front teeth, the incisors and canines, are used for tearing food, so single tooth implants in the front should be of maximum size.
Dental Implants at Covington Dental Arts
Having single tooth implants takes some adjusting to, but the body quickly gets used to it. If you want to restore your smile to its full beauty and capacity, we can help. Give us a call in Riverton, UT to learn if single tooth implants are right for you.
