Understanding Single Tooth Dental Implants

If you're wondering whether or not you should try a single tooth implant over another option, you're probably curious about what the process entails. Here the basics of single tooth dental implants. 

What Does a Single Tooth Implant Do?

A single tooth dental implant is designed to work with the remaining structure inside your mouth to replace a lost tooth. If you have more than one missing tooth, but the gaps are in different locations in your mouth, you may need or want more than one single tooth implant.

The implant can serve to replace the root as well as the missing tooth, while still preserving the health of your bones and gums. Dental implants are commonly used in dentistry practices now. As such, the implications of how they work in the long-term have been carefully studied. Single tooth dental implants are considered safe.

What is the Process?

The process of getting an implant starts with what looks like a screw being embedded into the space of the missing tooth. Over a period of time, it will form a connection with your gum so the dentist can later put in the crown. You can be fitted with a standard artificial tooth during this time to cover up the site, which can take a few months. It is possible you may need another step for the implant to fully take hold, which would include placing a cap as an extension in your mouth. You will be allotted extra recovery time if this additional step is something you need to undergo. Whether or not you need this second step would be determined by your dentist or specialist.

What Can You Expect From The Crown?

After two to six months, you will be fitted with a crown. The base of the crown is connected to a metal post, which is called an abutment. This post then connects to the dental implant that has already been installed in the gap where the missing tooth was. The crown looks like a regular tooth. The process of chewing and speaking will be almost identical to when you still had the original tooth, and no one will be able to tell it's not your real tooth.

Single tooth implants are invaluable to those who want to look and feel their best, but they aren't right for everyone. You can work with a dentist such as those at Wigwam Dental Care to determine if a single tooth implant is the right choice for your situation.


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