Single Tooth Dental Implant

What is a Dental Implant?

When it comes to tooth replacement options, dental implants are the closest thing to natural teeth. A single tooth implant procedure replaces one failing or missing tooth with a dental implant. Multiple teeth can be replaced as well with an implant for each missing tooth or two or more implants with a bridge. Implants can also be used to hold in dentures. An implant consists of the implant itself (a titanium screw that is placed in the bone where the tooth root was), an abutment (a post that screws inside the implant once it has healed), and an artificial crown. Our office places the implant for your dentist to place a post and crown on top.

When do you need a tooth implant?

Your teeth are a critical support to the integrity of your jawbone and facial structure.

But teeth get damaged or removed for a wide variety of reasons, like sports injuries, cavities, gum disease, trauma, and automobile accidents. Also, some people are born missing one or more adult teeth. If you experience any of the following issues, contact our office to schedule a consultation:

#1. Chewing Difficulties

Chewing often becomes difficult or painful near a damaged, failing, or missing tooth.  If you do not address the issue in a timely manner, infection and bone loss can happen.

#2. Shifting Adjacent Teeth

Each tooth in your mouth is dependent on the surrounding teeth for structural stability. Over time, a missing or damaged tooth can cause shifting and displacement of the adjacent teeth because the continuity of the  whole arch of  teeth is  lost. The longer  you go  without replacing your lost or failing tooth, the more detrimental its effects on its neighboring teeth. Loss of one or more teeth results in the remaining teeth doing more work, possibly causing them to wear or fracture more frequently.

#3 Losing Jawbone Mass

When you lose a tooth, your jawbone stops growing and begins to lose bone mass in that spot. It is essential to replace the tooth to reintroduce the physical stimulation necessary for healthy jawbone maintenance. The longer you wait, the more bone mass is lost, possible affecting the bone support of existing adjacent teeth. The bone that  holds the  teeth in is only  there for anchoring the tooth. Once the tooth is lost the bone is not stimulated and often resorbs.

#4 Avoiding Smiling During Conversation

A telltale sign that you should contact your oral surgeon for a consultation is if you avoid smiling because of a missing tooth.

#5 Diminishing Oral Hygiene

If you have a damaged or missing tooth, you may begin to notice you have bad breath. Brushing and flossing around a missing or damaged tooth can be painful, leading you to avoid the area.

Benefits of Choosing Dental Implants to Replace Teeth

A dental implant is the best tooth replacement treatment available for patients with a missing or failing tooth. It is the most natural way we have to replace a tooth. It does not rely on the adjacent teeth like the alternatives-a bridge or denture.

Long-lasting Replacement Treatment

Dental implants are made to last and have a 97% success rate among patients over a ten-year time period in one study. This is a higher rate than alternatives. When well-maintained, an implant can last over 35 years without needing to be replaced.

Strong Biocompatibility

The implant is made of titanium, a highly biocompatible metal that surgeons have trusted for over 35 years. It fuses with the jawbone, creating a bond strong enough to support the total pressure of your bite force.

Natural Jawbone Stimulation

When you bite down or chew food, force transfers  from  the crown of your tooth, through  the root, and into your jawbone. If your jawbone lacks stimulation where a tooth was lost, you start to lose bone mass in that spot which can affect the health/stability of the remaining adjacent teeth. Dental implants provide the physical stimulation vital to keeping your jawbone healthy.

Healthy Oral Care

Taking care of your implants is easy by simply brushing and flossing as you would your natural teeth. Brush at least twice and floss once a day. And specifically, floss around the base of the crown, where food debris tends to get trapped.

Single Tooth Implant Treatment Process in 4 Steps

The tooth implant procedure is a four-step process that takes several months. Along the way, there will be check-ins with Dr. Rendulich and our team to ensure the treatment is smooth and successful.

Dr. Rendulich places a titanium implant in the jawbone to replace the root of the missing tooth. The titanium implant fuses with the jawbone during the healing process. Then, your dentist attaches  an  abutment  and   secures  an  artificial  crown  to  the   implant,   restoring  all  the characteristics and functions of your natural tooth.

Step 1: Treatment Planning and Consultation

The first step is a consultation with Dr. Rendulich to go over your case information, dental and medical history, and details of the procedure. Every case is different  because  every patient is unique in terms of their medical history and personal preferences, so we work out a timeline and treatment plan that corresponds with your needs. Dr. Rendulich uses the most advanced technology to plan implants to make sure the placement and size of the implants  is optimized. This includes Cone Beam CAT scan and Digital Impressions using an  intra oral scanner.  No more trays or impressions! Once you leave our office, we customize your plan in a 3D implant planning software. We do a virtual surgery/placement of the implants in your scans and then capture that position with a surgical guide that is made on a 3D printer. Your custom guide is then used to place your implant during surgery with extreme precision.

Step 2: Placing the Implant

The second step of your procedure is to come back for the implant placement. Implants can be done with local or sedation. Dr. Rendulich surgically places the titanium implant in your jawbone. If needed, a temporary “flipper” denture can be worn over top to allow you to have a complete smile while healing. Flippers are made by your Dentist prior to the implant surgery day.

Step 3: Healing and Recovery

A period of healing follows the implant placement procedure. During your recovery, the titanium implant bonds with your jawbone to create a stable foundation for the prosthetic crown.

Every  patient’s recovery  time is different,  but it generally  takes three to six  months for the implant to integrate fully with your jawbone. During these months, you will come into the office for a few check-ins, in which Dr. Rendulich makes sure everything is healing well.

Step 4: Placing the Final Prosthetic Crown

At your last appointment with our office, Dr. Rendulich will test the implant and take an Xray to make sure that the implant has fused to the bone (integrated). Then you will see  your dentist  to have the crown made.

Dr. Rendulich and our team strives to ensure your procedure is successful and comfortable every step of the way. There is nothing like the joy of looking in the mirror to see your natural smile restored. Schedule your dental implant consultation today to learn how Dr. Rendulich can help replace your missing teeth with dental implants.