Single Dental Implants

Single Dental Implants

If you are missing one or more teeth, you may benefit from single dental implants. Single implants are surgically implanted devices that are placed in the jawbone to replace teeth. The implants integrate, or attach, to the jawbone and act as foundations or roots for crowns that replace the tooth or teeth that you lost. This results in a restoration that looks and feels as natural as your own tooth. Our dentist can help you decide if implants are right for your smile.

For the best results, candidates for single implants should be healthy enough to undergo routine dental surgery. They also need enough bone in the jaw to hold and support the implant device. If they have lost bone tissue or it is of poor quality, they may need to undergo bone augmentation or regenerative procedures to improve the quality and quantity of bone tissue at the implant site. This improves the long-term success rate of single dental implants. At your appointment, our dentist will examine your jawbone and explain our recommendations for your case.

Single implants have several components. The implant itself is a screw or rod made of titanium. It is placed in the upper or lower jaw at the site of the lost tooth. An abutment is attached to the implant using a screw and looks much like a tooth that has been prepared to receive a crown. The abutment is typically made of titanium or porcelain, and it connects the implant to the restoration. Single dental implants are most commonly restored using porcelain crowns, the last component of a dental implant.

The process for completing a dental implant can vary based on your dental health and your treatment plan. Call our office to find out when you can have your new smile ready to share. In some cases, we can place the implants and temporary crowns at the same time. In others, the process can take longer, especially if you need bone regenerative procedures to improve the implant site.

Once your single dental implants are in place, you can use them just like you use any tooth, meaning you can speak and eat your favorite foods comfortably. They can be brushed and flossed just like any of your natural teeth. Call our dental office today to learn more about dental implants or to schedule your appointment.[