Replacing a Single Tooth

Missing just one tooth? One implant and a crown can replace it. A dental implant replaces both the lost natural tooth and its root. A dental implant provides several advantages over other tooth replacement options. In addition to looking and functioning like a natural tooth, a dental implant replaces a single tooth without sacrificing the health of neighboring teeth. The other common treatment for the loss of a single tooth, a tooth-supported fixed bridge, requires that adjacent teeth be ground down to support the cemented bridge.

Because a dental implant will replace your tooth root, the bone is better preserved. With a bridge, some of the bone that previously surrounded the tooth begins to resorb (deteriorate). Dental implants integrate with your jawbone, helping to keep the bone healthy and intact.

In the long term, a single implant can be more esthetic and easier to keep clean than a bridge. Gums can recede around a bridge, leaving a visible defect when the metal base or collar of the bridge becomes exposed. Resorbed bone beneath the bridge can lead to an unattractive smile. And, the cement holding the bridge in place can wash out, allowing bacteria to decay the teeth that anchor the bridge. Dental implants do not decay like natural teeth.

Here is a summary of the procedure: First, the tooth is removed (if it is not already missing), its natural root is removed, and the area is thoroughly cleaned. Then, using very delicate surgical techniques, an incision is made in the gum tissues and a dental implant is placed into a controlled site in the jawbone.

The second step is to attach an abutment (a small metal post) to the implant. This step completes the foundation on which your new tooth will be placed. Sometimes, the abutment is attached during the initial implant procedure. Sometimes, it is attached 8-12 weeks later, when the gum has healed and is ready for a permanent crown.

In either case, a temporary crown can be placed over the implant so the patient is never "toothless". Eight to 12 weeks after the initial implant, the gums will be healed and a dentist can create a permanent crown. This schedule may vary, depending on such issues as tooth location, the anatomy of the bone and the presence of infection. The implant process is generally performed in the office and is painless.