Single Tooth Implants in San Rafael, Novato, & Marin County

If you are missing one tooth, you may be putting off having the tooth replaced. Perhaps you think it is unnecessary to replace just one tooth, especially if it is on the side where it is not seen. Unfortunately, even one missing tooth can lead to many oral health issues if it is not replaced. A single dental implant procedure is the only permanent solution for a missing or severely damaged tooth. At Kantor Dental Group, we do single-tooth implants for many of our patients.

 

Why Should You Replace a Single Missing Tooth?

When a tooth is lost or removed, it leaves a hole in the jawbone where the tooth’s root used to be. If this space is left empty for any length of time, the jawbone starts to deteriorate in and around the empty socket. Over time, the adjacent teeth begin to shift out of alignment. This affects how well you can eat, chew, and smile. The area is also more prone to infection and gum disease, and you may find that food particles get stuck in the empty socket.

 

Alternatives such as a dental bridge are cosmetic corrections. Still, they do not fill in the empty socket and do not provide the bite force needed to stimulate the jawbone and keep it from reabsorbing. Single-tooth implants provide the support and durability of a tooth root while restoring your ability to chew comfortably and speak clearly.

 

What to Expect During a Single Tooth Implant

Whether you get a single dental implant or several, the process is essentially the same. However, recovery is often quicker for single tooth implants because there is less trauma to the jawbone. The first step is the surgical implantation of a titanium post in your jawbone to replace the missing tooth root. After the implant is in position, we will suture the gums back over the implant and allow time for the implant to integrate with your jawbone. This can take anywhere from three to six months. A bone graft may be necessary to support the implant if the jawbone is too thin of the extraction socket is too large.

 

In the first several days after surgery, we recommend a soft diet to give the gums time to heal. During this time, you need to avoid chewing hard and crunchy foods in that area of the mouth. While your mouth heals, we create a permanent crown that looks and performs like a natural tooth. The crown is usually made of porcelain or porcelain over metal and is incredibly durable.

 

The crown is attached to the implant in your jawbone using an abutment, a small metal clip or collar to permanently join the visible part of the replacement tooth to the implant in the jawbone. The entire process can take anywhere from six to nine months. However, recovery tends to be a bit faster if bone grafts are not needed and only a single missing tooth is restored.

Benefits of Single Tooth Implants

A single tooth implant is the only permanent method of tooth restoration. While you can wear a dental bridge, these have drawbacks. If you are missing one tooth and weighing the benefits of a single dental implant, keep these single tooth implant benefits in mind:

 

  • The implant prevents bone loss in the jawbone
  • It is easier to chew and speak if you are not missing a tooth
  • Cleaning and caring for single tooth implants are more manageable than caring for a removable bridge
  • An implant does not damage the adjacent teeth. These teeth have to be filed or shaved down to accommodate a dental bridge but are left untouched when an implant is placed.
  • You feel more confident and smile more readily when a single dental implant replaces a missing tooth.
  • There is a greater bite force with an implant than a crown, strengthening your jawbone.
  • Your other teeth will not shift to fill in the space left where you lost your tooth.
  • Implants do not get cavities.
  • No need to repair and replace a dental bridge every few years, saving you money over time

 

Do not minimize the importance of having all your teeth. Even one missing tooth can contribute to dental health issues such as crooked teeth and an increased risk for gum disease. If you have been putting off getting a single tooth implant, now is the time to commit to a healthier smile and better dental health.

 

Our doctors look forward to explaining the dental implant process in more detail and answering your question about single dental implants. Please contact us at San Rafael Office Phone Number 415-492-1616 to make an appointment.