Whether you have been missing a tooth for a while, Phillips Prosthodontics recommends you have a replacement tooth placed as soon as possible. This will help your overall oral health by maintaining your proper dental alignment.Why You May Need Need a New Tooth
There are a variety of reasons why you may have lost a tooth. While gum disease and tooth extraction are the common reasons, trauma and other health issues also can cause you to need a new tooth. If the missing tooth in the front and affects your appearance, you will likely feel the need to have the tooth replaced as soon as possible. However, even if the missing tooth is in the back of your mouth and not visible, it is still important to replace the tooth. If you don’t replace a missing tooth, it can cause some severe consequences in the future – including losing the shape of your natural smile; impairing your eating; making you feel self-conscious when you smile or talk; having your jawbone deteriorate; and now your surrounding teeth aren’t as protected as they should be.
What Is a Single Tooth Implant Replacement?
While many treatments exist when you need to replace a missing tooth, a permanent option is typically the best. This is why a single tooth dental implant is something you should consider so you don’t have to worry about replacing this tooth again in the future. Essentially, it’s simply a small screw coupled with a customized crown that will replace your missing tooth without impairing upon your surrounding gums and teeth.
The entire process begins by having an oral surgeon place an dental implant into the area of the missing tooth. Over the next 2-6 months your bone will bond to the implant through a process called 'osseointegration', forming a secure foundation for your crown. Sometimes you might receive a temporary tooth in this area, so you can maintain your appearance until it’s time for the permanent crown to be placed.
Once the implant has healed, Dr. Phillips can proceed with placing the implant connector, or ‘abutment’ and final crown. Keep in mind, the process of completing the implant crown will take a couple of appointments to ensure the best design, fit, and esthetics of the final restoration.
While we can discuss this with you, it’s important to remember that what may work well for one person may not work as well for someone else, so this may or may not be an option for you. If it isn’t, you’ll need to have a custom-made crown fixed to the screw and its extension. This is fashioned, so it matches your natural tooth color and shape.
Why Choose a Single Tooth Implant Replacement?
Replacement of a single missing tooth with an implant has become a very common procedure. Dr. Julie A. Phillips collaborates routinely with local oral surgeons to be able to provide excellent single tooth implant results on a daily basis. Understanding the importance of replacing a single missing tooth as well as the details of the process will help you feel more comfortable making this decision. If you would like more information or to learn if implant replacement is an option for you, please call Phillips Prosthodontics at 336-274-5400 as soon as possible. We’ll schedule an appointment for you to start this procedure and improve your oral health and overall appearance.