Dental implants are a restorative treatment that Dr. Benjamin Stevens uses to replace missing teeth at his dentist office in Greenwood, IN. For patients that are missing one tooth, a single dental implant can be used to replace it instead of a dental bridge or partial denture. Using an implant to secure a crown is the best solution for aesthetic and health reasons.
Single Dental Implant
A single dental implant works by replacing the tooth root and supporting a dental crown, which will serve as your new tooth. At the location of the lost tooth, we place one implant in the jaw bone during a surgical procedure. We may place a temporary crown depending on where it is located. We leave the implant to heal for three to six months, as it fuses with the surrounding bone during osseointegration.
Once the implant is fully fused, we attach an abutment to the implant. This small metal piece secures the connection between the implant and the crown. The last step is to attach a dental crown. It blends in naturally with the rest of your remaining teeth in terms of fit and color.
Why Choose a Single Dental Implant
A dental implant provides the most natural replacement for a missing tooth. It can last forever if you care for it properly and you remain in good overall health. The greatest benefit to choosing a dental implant is avoiding bone loss in the jaw. The implant will act as a tooth root and provide enough stimulation for the jaw bone to remain healthy and viable.
Although dental bridges and partial dentures have been used for many years to replace a missing tooth, they do not prevent bone loss in the jaw. To properly secure a bridge, you must reduce the two adjacent teeth. This means you must damage two perfectly healthy teeth just to replace a single tooth.
Partial dentures will not provide the same bite force and will not appear as natural looking. They are made from metal clasps that attach to your remaining teeth; people can see metal when you smile. A single dental implant does not require using any healthy teeth to support it and will appear completely natural.
The Importance of Replacing Even One Missing Tooth
You may think a single missing tooth is no big deal, especially if it is hard to see when you smile. However, teeth should work together and support each other. The whole row will not work properly over time if one is missing. This is because the remaining teeth will begin to shift towards the open space.
It impacts your bite, possibly resulting in a painful TMJ disorder, and you may have difficulty chewing food. Just one missing tooth can even increase your chances of developing gum disease, halitosis, and tooth decay. For these reasons, Dr. Stevens recommends replacing your tooth as soon as possible with an implant-supported crown.
Request an Implant Consultation with Dr. Stevens
Schedule your one-on-one consultation today with Dr. Stevens at Beautiful Smiles to learn how single dental implants are the best solution to replace a missing tooth. We accept new dental implant patients at our Greenwood, IN dentist office.