Introduction
The loss of even a single tooth has the ability to impact significantly on your appearance and confidence, and will certainly affect your dental health. Eating, speech, and how you present yourself can be directly affected by a lost tooth and thankfully a dental implant is recognized as one of the safest and most used dental prosthetic appliances when replacing a lost tooth. One of the most popular and reliable options is a single dental implant Laurel patients can trust for long-term results.
The key difference that an implant offers over previously-used tooth replacements is that it represents a complete replacement, for the entire tooth, not just the visible portion above the gumline but also for the missing root below, with the single dental implant being one of the more frequent tooth replacements.
What Is a Single Dental Implant?
A single dental implant is simply a tooth replacement device that is most suitable when an individual has only lost one tooth but has the rest of their own teeth intact and healthy.
A single dental implant includes:
- Titanium implant screw into the bone of the jaw at the site of the tooth.
- Abutment- also the connecting piece
- The crown (visible tooth), crafted to look like a natural tooth
This mixture is used to form a long lasting tooth replacement, so it will both look and feel just like your natural one.
Why Replacing a Missing Tooth Matters
Almost all patients that have a missing tooth and it’s in the back part of your mouth would think it is of no concern and they can live without it. However, if nothing is done, it places you in danger:
Having difficulty with eating, depending on your other teeth
- Changes in your speech
- Movement of adjacent teeth into the space, creating alignment issues
- Bone loss in the area where the tooth was previously supported
- Less assured while smiling and with social interaction
Such complications can be avoided by choosing the right tooth replacement options such as the single dental implant.
Benefits of a Single Dental Implant
There are a host of advantages associated with choosing a single dental implant, especially over traditional methods.
Natural Look and Feel
The most fantastic attribute of a dental implant is that it can’t be told apart from your natural teeth. Dental implants are custom-created so that they are identical to your existing teeth in color, shape, and size.
Durability
A dental implant is a very strong dental prosthetic appliance and can last you for many years, providing you maintain it.
Ability to Chew Properly
The loss of a tooth will diminish the bite strength of your teeth and decrease your ability to chew, you will find a dental implant will replace the natural tooth and this will allow you to eat without any discomfort.
Maintenance of Jawbone Health
The natural teeth in our mouths provide continuous stimulation to the jawbone. Losing a tooth means that the bone tissue will begin to reabsorb over time since it is no longer stimulated. The dental implant is designed to replicate the root of your missing natural tooth and so helps maintain the volume of the bone in your jaw.
How Dental Implants Compare to Other Tooth Replacement Options
It’s worth exploring all your options for replacing a single missing tooth:
Dental Bridges
One or more missing teeth can be replaced with a dental bridge. Adjacent natural teeth are used to support a bridge. These neighbor teeth are crowned, and an artificial tooth is suspended between them. A downside of dental bridges is that healthy neighbor teeth have to be modified.
Partial Dentures
A partial denture consists of a removable appliance that holds one or more artificial teeth. Although sometimes cheaper initially, they are more prone to slipping, moving, and not providing the same bone-retention as implants.
Dental Implants
If we compare the options listed above to single dental implants, we find that implants provide better bone preservation and natural aesthetic results without having to affect adjacent healthy teeth.
The Dental Implant Treatment Process
The dental implant treatment is typically carried out in several stages:
Initial Consultation
You will then have a thorough consultation with your dentist, who will take you through your health, medical and dental history, discuss the procedure itself, your suitability will then be determined and any questions you may have will be answered.
Implant Placement
Under local anesthetic, your dentist will surgically insert a tiny titanium screw directly into your jawbone, where your natural tooth’s roots would have been.
Healing and Integration
Over the next few months, your jaw bone will start to integrate with the screw; this is known as osseointegration and during this time, you may be provided with a temporary tooth replacement.
Crown Placement
When the healing is finished your dentist will put on the custom made crown onto the implant post.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Single Dental Implant?
Generally, a good implant candidate would:
- Good gums
- Sufficient bone density in the jaw
- Generally good health
- Excellent oral hygiene
- No uncontrolled medical conditions that may hinder healing
Your dentist will evaluate your unique case during a consultation and inform you if dental implants are the right treatment for you.
Caring for Your Dental Implant
Looking after your dental implant is remarkably similar to maintaining your natural teeth:
- Brush your teeth two times a day with a soft bristle tooth brush
- Floss your teeth daily around the implant and abutment
- Attend regular check ups and cleanings with your dentist
- Do not smoke
- Follow your dentist’s oral care instructions
Conclusion
The benefits to replacing a missing tooth are aesthetically and functionally important to the appearance of your smile, as well as the health and confidence you exhibit. A single dental implant Laurel provides a comfortable, stable, permanent and beautiful smile that contributes to good oral health and great confidence. Laurel Smiles Dental Care is equipped to prepare custom made dental implant solutions that will allow our patients to regain confidence through advanced dental implant technology.