The single-tooth dental implant is a post that is fused to your jawbone to anchor one artificial tooth.
How Can I Fix Teeth That I’ve Lost?
Emergency dentistry can restore some teeth lost through trauma. Most lost teeth must be replaced by an artificial tooth, called a “cap” or a “crown.” Dental implants are a great way to restore a smile and feel confident once again. They offer a natural appearance and function like your original teeth.
Dental implants replace tooth roots with a titanium screw. The screw sits in the jawbone and is topped with a crown. The crown can be fused to the post as one unit, or it can be attached to the post by an abutment. These are all small enough to fit perfectly in your mouth and provide a comfortable bite.
Types Of Dental Implants
You may be interested in a few different types of dental implants:
- Single tooth implants permanently support one tooth crown per post. This is a good option for people missing one tooth.
- Implant-supported bridges permanently support several artificial teeth between two or more posts. This is a good option for people missing many teeth.
- Implant-supported dentures are held in place to reduce movement or slipping that usually comes with traditional denture use. This is a good option for people who like their dentures and want more stability.
- Mini Implants Are used for prosthetics or orthodontic anchoring (providing tension points for braces). They are smaller in diameter and can be removed more easily if their function is no longer needed.
Overdentures and Implants
An alternative option for missing teeth may be an overdenture. These are removable dentures for people who still have some teeth. It is secured by one or more teeth, roots of prepared teeth, or implants. Like dental tooth implants, overdentures can help preserve bone and delay the loss of all original teeth. The most common number of implants to support over dentures is 4.
Benefits of Dental Implants at Dental by Design
At Dental by Design, we have dentists available in-house to oversee your entire tooth implant process in one place. Depending on your schedule, you may need to meet with different dentists throughout your consultation and surgery, but why not work with a team where all three are in the same building for you?
How Single Tooth Dental Implants Work At Our Dental Office
Planning | Good oral and overall health must be established before implantation surgery. Your dentist will need to make a plan for the angle and position of the installed posts, taking available bone density and the effects of bite force on the crown into consideration. Gum treatment or other procedures, such as a bone graft, may be needed before the implantation surgery.
Computer Tomography (CT) scans and Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) are the most advanced aids for implant planning that can be used for designing crown size, shape, and position. The tooth color and the material used will also be artistically coordinated with you.
Treatment | During oral surgery, our implant dentist inserts the implant post into your jawbone. This ultimately will provide a solid foundation for your new tooth. An abutment is attached to the post just under the gum line. Your gums will be stitched closed around the new hardware.
Temporary Tooth Placement | A temporary tooth can be attached to the abutment to keep your smile intact during the osseointegration period. This tooth should not be used for biting or chewing, only for looks.
Healing (osseointegration) | Your bone will bond tightly to the titanium post over about 6 months, more or fewer months depending on your health and how you use your teeth.
Final Restored Tooth | Once the integration of bone and metal is complete, a permanent crown can be affixed to the abutment. This restored tooth is fully functional. Dental Cement or a small screw will be used to keep it permanently in place.
I’m Looking For The Best Implant Dentist Near Me
Our dentists at Dental by Design in Phoenix, AZ, have many years of experience with single-tooth dental implants. We have seen many patients from other clinics who suffer from dental implant surgery complications. We have learned how to deal with these complications as well as how to prevent them from happening in the first place.
Ready to Try a Dental Bridge Yourself?
To schedule your free dental implant bridge consultation, give us a call today!