Have you lost one tooth due to dental injuries, dental diseases, or other problems? Are you missing multiple teeth in several isolated regions around your mouth? If so, a single tooth implant is the ideal restoration option for you. With a single tooth implant, you can permanently replace your missing tooth while ensuring optimal aesthetic and functional naturalness. VIP Dental Implants provides some of the most effective and affordable dental implants for missing teeth in Houston, TX.
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What is a Single Tooth Implant?
Dental implants can replace individual teeth, multiple teeth, or all your teeth. When we talk of “single tooth implants,” we’re referring to implants attached at a 1:1 ratio, i.e., one dental implant per missing tooth. If you’re missing one tooth, the dentist will attach the dental implant underneath the empty socket of the missing tooth, which, in turn, will support a dental crown. If you’re missing multiple teeth in isolated locations around your mouth, the dentist will attach individual implants in each location, and all the implants will support dental crowns — one implant per missing tooth.
Benefits of Single Tooth Implants
- The implant looks and feels like a natural tooth.
- The dental implant doesn’t shift, move, or slide around your mouth.
- You can eat whatever you want without fear or worries.
- The dental implant lasts a lifetime.
Dental Implants for a Missing Tooth
Dental implants are widely considered one of the best teeth replacement options in modern dentistry. Contrary to popular assumption, a dental implant doesn’t replace the missing tooth’s crown, i.e., the visible outer regions. Instead, a dental implant replaces the missing tooth’s internal root structure. A dental implant is a titanium screw that’s surgically attached to the jawbone underneath the socket of the missing tooth. Over time, the titanium implant bonds and fuses with the surrounding jawbone tissues. As such, dental implants provide firm and solid foundations for the prosthetics, thereby replacing the missing tooth’s complete structure.
Components of a Single Tooth Implant
- Implant: The screw-like titanium post attached to the jawbone underneath the missing tooth’s socket. The implant replaces the missing tooth’s root structure.
- Abutment: A metallic or porcelain piece attached to the implant, it connects the implant to the prosthetic component, i.e., the crown.
- Crown: A tooth-shaped and tooth-colored porcelain cap attached to the abutment. This component is the visible part of the dental implant structure.
Before and After
Candidates for Single Tooth Implants
You’re a suitable candidate for single tooth implants if you’re missing one tooth or multiple teeth in multiple locations around your mouth. You may have lost the teeth due to injuries, accidents, or dental diseases. However, you should have good oral health with no existing infections or diseases. You should also have sufficient jawbone tissues to support the dental implants. If you have insufficient jawbone (usually if you delay getting dental implants), you may need a bone grafting procedure before single tooth implants. Your dentist will ensure you’re a suitable candidate for single tooth dental implants.
The Dental Implant Procedure
Consultation
The dental implant dentist will carefully examine your teeth and discuss your options. He’ll determine if you’re a suitable candidate for dental implants.
Preparation
If you have insufficient jawbone due to recession after a tooth loss, you may need to start with bone grafting. In this case, you’ll need bone grafting surgery a few months before the dental implant surgery.
Implant Placement
The dental implant dentist will surgically create an implant bed underneath the empty socket of the missing tooth. The titanium post will be screwed into the jawbone. Over time, the jawbone tissues will heal around the implant.
Abutment Placement
The dental implant specialist will attach the abutment to the titanium implant and take impressions of your teeth.
Crown Placement
The tooth-colored and tooth-shaped dental crown will be attached to the abutment. The porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal crown will look just like all your surrounding teeth.
Other Dental Implant Restoration Options
Implants for Several Missing Teeth
If you’re missing multiple teeth in a single row, the dentist can replace multiple missing teeth with one or two dental implants. In this case, partial dentures or bridges may be used as prosthetics.
Single Tooth Implant FAQs
What can I do to replace a missing tooth?
A single tooth implant is the best tooth-replacement option if you’re missing one tooth. With a single tooth implant, you can rest assured that the replacement tooth looks, feels, and functions like natural teeth.
Why would I replace a missing tooth?
You should replace a missing tooth because it can improve your self-confidence and smile. However, you should replace the missing tooth even if it’s out of sight. That’s because a missing tooth can compromise your bite force, thereby weakening the surrounding teeth. Furthermore, over time, the jawbone underneath the missing tooth will deteriorate, leading to facial sagging and misalignment problems.
A dental bridge or a dental implant?
A dental implant is usually preferable to a crown-supported dental bridge. To get a dental bridge without an implant, the dentist will have to shave the enamel off the surrounding teeth to attach dental crowns. As such, the bridge will be supported by the surrounding teeth. However, if you get a dental implant with a crown, the surrounding teeth aren’t modified at all.
If I break a crown on an implant tooth, can it be repaired without further surgery?
Yes, the dental crown can be replaced or repaired without further surgeries. However, the dental implant dentist will run tests to ensure the underlying implant remains healthy and safe.
Contact Your Dental Implant Specialist Today
VIP Dental Implants is a state-of-the-art and luxurious dental clinic specializing in high-quality dental implants in Houston, TX. Led by Dr. Nelson, one of the region’s leading dental implant dentists, we provide same-day dental implants to replace an individual tooth, multiple teeth, or all your teeth. If you want a second chance with a flawless smile, please schedule an appointment to discuss your single tooth implant options today.
