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Your front teeth are on show whenever you talk or smile, so any damage or loss to these teeth is immediately obvious. An implant front tooth offers a seamless and natural-looking replacement.
In this guide, learn more about front tooth implants and what to expect during treatment. We discuss the benefits of treatment and possible alternatives.
What is a Front Tooth Implant?
A dental implant is a small screw, made from medical-grade titanium alloy or from a tough ceramic material called zirconia. The screw replaces the real tooth roots that are removed when the front tooth is extracted.
A connector called an abutment is attached to the screw, protruding just above the gum line.
An implant crown is firmly and permanently attached to the connector, usually with a small screw that fits through the back of the crown, and which is covered with tooth-colored composite resin so that it is invisible. Using a screw allows the crown to be easily retrieved should any maintenance be required in the future.
Suitable for Upper and Lower Missing Front Teeth
We can provide front tooth implants for upper and lower missing incisors. When replacing a lower front tooth in a space-limited area, we can use smaller, narrower implants that fit into tighter spaces.
Materials Used to Make Front Tooth Crowns
We can provide front tooth crowns made from various materials, but we will likely recommend an all-ceramic crown made from strong, beautiful zirconia. Zirconia has a translucency that replicates the appearance of a real tooth and is ideal when aesthetics are important, such as when replacing a front tooth.
If you have thinner gums or concerns about metal allergies, we may recommend a dental implant made from zirconia instead of titanium. This material is allergy-free, and it contains no metal that can shine through the gums. The results are excellent.
Alternatives to Front Tooth Implants
There are other solutions to replace missing front teeth, which include:
- Dental flipper.
- Dental bridge.
Dental Flipper
A dental flipper is a one-tooth denture, featuring a gum-colored base that can be made from hard acrylic or flexible nylon, supporting the replacement denture tooth.
A flipper is a cost-effective and fast solution for single tooth loss, but it is not very stable or strong. It could be an option while you decide on a more permanent restoration.
Dental Bridge
A traditional dental bridge uses crowns fitted over the teeth on either side of the gap, thereby bridging the space. These teeth, called abutment teeth, must be substantially reshaped to accommodate the crowns comfortably. A replacement tooth, called a pontic, is attached between them.
A bridge is a popular restoration option, but it can involve reshaping potentially healthy teeth. There is the risk that, as the crowns age, they could begin to leak, potentially leading to decay and infection in the teeth underneath them. Instead of just restoring a single tooth, you would end up with a three-tooth dental bridge.
Why Choose an Implant for a Front Tooth?
A dental implant is often the preferred choice to restore a missing front tooth because it offers the following benefits, including:
- A natural-looking appearance since the crown emerges from your gum, giving it a profile just like a real tooth.
- The dental implant screw will help prevent jawbone loss, which occurs after a natural tooth root is removed.
- A front tooth implant supports the adjacent teeth, preventing them from shifting out of place.
- There is no need to modify the adjacent teeth, which is required with a traditional dental bridge.
- A dental implant restores your biting strength to normal, so you will have a front tooth that looks and feels strong, beautiful, and durable.
- A front tooth implant is a long-term solution for tooth loss.
The Step-By-Step Process for Restoring a Front Tooth with an Implant
The step-by-step process is identical to that for any implant treatment. Below is a brief outline of what you can expect; however, your treatment is customized to meet your unique oral health needs.
Step One: Consultation & Diagnostics
An initial consultation and diagnostic evaluation will determine if you are a suitable candidate for dental implant surgery. If so, we can provide a customized plan outlining your treatment in detail, which will include the costs.
Your digital diagnostics are used to plan your implant-guided surgery, and a custom stent is created for use during the procedure.
Step Two: Implant Surgery
Your implant is placed using computer-guided surgery, using your custom stent that guides our implant dentist to ensure your treatment plan is replicated precisely. Some people may feel comfortable with just a local anesthetic, but if required, we can provide sedation dentistry for a more relaxing experience.
Once the implant is placed, we may fit an abutment soon after and attach a temporary tooth for use during the healing process. Otherwise, we can provide an alternative restoration, such as a dental flipper, to wear during the healing process.
Step Three: Healing
You can expect minimal to no discomfort after a single dental implant, and we will provide clear instructions on how to care for your implant during the healing process. If you have a temporary restoration, it’s essential to avoid biting on it, as it is primarily for aesthetic purposes.
Step Four: Receiving Your Permanent Restoration
Once your implant has healed, approximately 3 to 6 months later, you return to our dental office so we can fabricate your permanent dental implant front tooth. This is created to look and feel natural and comfortable, exactly like a real tooth.
Long-Term Aftercare
It is crucial to care for your implant front tooth, and you can brush and floss around it just like a natural tooth. Make sure to brush at least twice a day and floss daily.
Schedule regular dental checkups and hygiene appointments so we can check its condition and clean it professionally.
NYC Dentistry Center6 E 45th Street, 8th Floor, Suite 2
New York, NY 10017
(212) 810-9264