When a tooth is missing, a replacement should be put not only for aesthetics but to keep all of your teeth aligned and for proper dental health.
A single tooth implant is a titanium screw that is placed in the jawbone to act as a replacement for a missing tooth root. A single tooth implant is not as strong or durable as a multiple tooth implant and will eventually need to be replaced.
The options for replacing a single tooth include:
- Dental implant and crown
- Dental bridge
- Partial denture
- Full denture
The success rate of single tooth replacement is about 98%. This means that about 98 out of 100 implants will bond successfully with the bone and remain in place.
The benefits of single tooth replacement include:
- Improved appearance
- Improved speech
- Improved chewing
- Improved self-esteem
- Reduced risk of gum disease
There are several reasons why a single tooth replacement may be chosen over a crown on a natural tooth:
- The natural tooth is damaged and would need to be removed anyway.
- The natural tooth is not strong enough to support a crown.
- The implant will last longer than a crown.
- The implant does not require adjusting or replacement like a crown.
1. The area around the implant site is numbed with local anesthesia.
2. A small incision is made in the gum tissue to expose the bone.
3. A hole is drilled into the bone where the implant will be placed.
4. The implant is placed into the hole and the gum tissue is closed with sutures.
5. The implant will need to heal for several months before the tooth can be placed on top.
6. Once the implant has healed, a small post known as an abutment is placed on top of the implant.
7. An impression is made of the abutment and a tooth is made to match.
8. The tooth is placed on top of the implant and the procedure is complete.
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