Single Tooth Implants
Dental implants are titanium screws that are placed into the jawbone during oral surgery. Once placed, the screw fuses with the bone and acts as an artificial tooth root. Then, the dentist places a crown over the implant to complete the restoration. Dental implants are strong and durable, and they can last for many years with good oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist’s office. At Dr. Wisdom Teeth, we offer single-tooth implants to restore a missing tooth.
How is the Single Tooth Implant Procedure Performed?
There are three steps to the procedure:
Consultation and Preparation
When you come in for your consultation, our dentist will perform an examination to determine if you’re a good candidate for a single-tooth implant. If it is determined that you’re a candidate, the dentist will create a treatment plan based on your individual needs.
The dentist will talk to you about your options for sedation during surgery if you are nervous or anxious about the procedure. Once the plan is created, you will schedule the surgery date.
Surgery and Recovery
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia in most cases. You will be given pain medication afterward for any discomfort. A healing cap will be placed on the implant while it heals.
During the healing process, you will have to follow specific instructions to avoid infection and ensure proper healing. During this time, you won’t be able to chew food on the side of your mouth with the implant, but you can brush and floss it normally. Your diet will be limited as well – you will only be able to eat soft foods while the surgical site heals.
Once you’ve healed enough, the dentist will expose the implant and place the abutment on top. Then, a crown will be placed on top of the abutment to complete the restoration process. In some cases, you may receive a temporary crown to wear while the customized crown is being made.
Final Restoration
The last part of the procedure is the fitting of the final tooth restoration, i.e., the custom-made crown. If you’ve had a temporary crown placed, you’ll come back in to have the permanent ones fitted. After placing it, you’ll be given instructions on how to properly care for your new implant.
Am I a Good Candidate for Single Tooth Implant?
Most people are good candidates for implants. However, patients need to have healthy gums and be committed to proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits to maintain the health of their teeth and gums following treatment. Patients must also have sufficient bone in the jaw for the implant to be embedded. If there is not enough bone, a bone grafting procedure or a sinus lift may be required before moving forward with the implants. Patients with diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune diseases, or those taking medications that can affect clotting may have an increased risk of complications during surgery and healing. So discuss all of it with the dentist before going for it.
What Are the Benefits of Single Tooth Implants?
Dental implants provide a number of benefits beyond restoring your smile’s appearance. They also help preserve your natural bone, which results from tooth loss. Without the tooth root in place to stimulate and maintain the bone, it can deteriorate over time. Your remaining teeth can also shift out of place due to the space left over from the missing tooth. As a result, you won’t feel confident in your smile or your ability to chew and talk. With the addition of a single tooth implant, however, you can address these issues and regain your confidence as well as your oral health.
If you want to learn more about single tooth implants, visit our office, Doctor Wisdom Teeth, at 287 E. Hunt Hwy #101, San Tan Valley, AZ 85143. You can also reach the dentist in San Tan Valley, AZ, at (833) 394-7366.
