According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, 35 million Americans are missing all their teeth in one or both jaws.
Did you know that missing teeth can affect more than your confidence? Missing teeth can cause problems with chewing, biting, and speaking. If the problem isn’t corrected, the remaining teeth can shift and leave you with a crooked smile, causing your confidence to plummet further.
Dental Implants 101
Whether you’re missing one tooth or all of your teeth, dental implants are the optimal solution. Dental implants are artificial roots and teeth (usually titanium) that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone. The artificial teeth are very natural-looking and functional. They are durable, long-lasting, and strong. The biggest perk of this treatment is that it’s fixed, meaning the implant is permanently secured into your mouth. This sure beats wearing dentures! Dental implants can restore a person’s smile as well as his or her confidence.
What is a Single Tooth Implant?
Just as the name implies, a single tooth implant is an implant that replaces one tooth. You can get just one or a mouthful. The greatest benefit of a single tooth implant is that it doesn’t disturb the adjacent teeth, like a fixed bridge would. A fixed bridge is attached to the adjacent teeth, so it requires filing down those teeth and covering them with crowns. Why jeopardize your healthy teeth when there’s an option for just the one that’s missing?
The Perks:
- Adjacent teeth are preserved
- Confidence is boosted
- Durable and long-lasting
- Enhances facial features
- Permanently placed
- Natural-looking and functional
- No decay on implants
- Oral hygiene made easy
While most dentists are in favor of single tooth implants, keep in mind that not everyone will be an ideal candidate for the procedure given particular circumstances. If you get the green light from your dentist, here is what you can expect.
First, you will have x-rays and molds taken to determine bone, gum tissue, and spacing available for an implant. You will be completely numbed when the implant is surgically placed into the bone. After a few weeks of healing, the artificial teeth will be placed and fitted properly, which may take a couple visits to perfect before securely fastening them. It can take several months for complete healing and osseointegration (a fancy term for when the implant successfully connects to the jaw bone).
If you have missing teeth and are interested in getting single tooth dental implants, call us at 954-344-4488, or complete an online appointment request to schedule your consultation.