Table of contents
What Is a Single Tooth Implant?
A single tooth implant replaces just one missing tooth and consists of three separate parts, which are:
- Implant screw or post.
- Implant abutment.
- Implant crown.
- Implant Screw
The implant screw is made of medical-grade titanium, a very strong metal, or it can be metal-free and made from zirconia, a very strong and durable ceramic material. It is inserted surgically into the jawbone during a short procedure that typically takes an hour or less.
Once in place, the implant fuses or osseointegrates with the jawbone. During this process, your body deposits new bone cells on and around the implant. The implant screw is often specially treated to encourage this process.
- Implant Abutment
The implant abutment is a connector attached to the implant screw. It protrudes above your gum, like a very small tooth, and is used to support the implant crown.
- Implant Crown
An implant crown is fitted onto the abutment. Typically, it features a small hole that passes directly through the crown, enabling it to be screwed onto the implant. The hole is then covered with tooth-colored composite resin, making it invisible.
Using a screw to secure the crown to the abutment enables easy retrieval if necessary. This may be occasionally required if your crown needs cleaning or any other maintenance.
We can fabricate your implant crown from a choice of materials, depending on where it will be fitted in the mouth. The most aesthetically pleasing options are metal-free and made from porcelain or zirconia.
Benefits of Single Tooth Implants
Single tooth implants can offer some important benefits outlined below.
Natural Appearance
Single implants look and feel exactly like real teeth. They are custom-designed to blend in seamlessly with your natural teeth, restoring your smile.
Long-Lasting
Dental implants are very durable. Provided you take good care of your single implant, it should last many years or a lifetime. Over time, it can be an economical choice.
Excellent Functionality
Single-tooth implants provide biting and chewing strength similar to that of natural teeth. You will be able to eat whatever you wish with confidence and in complete comfort.
Jawbone Preservation
An implant screw replicates a natural tooth root, restoring stimulation to the surrounding bone that is lost when a tooth is extracted. Continued stimulation helps ensure bone cells are renewed as they die, protecting your jawbone health and preventing jawbone resorption.
Protecting Adjacent Teeth
Single implants help protect natural teeth on either side of the gap, preventing them from shifting position and sharing the load created when you bite and chew. Unlike a dental bridge, there is no need to change the shape of these teeth to support it.
Easy To Maintain
Single dental implants are extremely easy to care for, as you can brush and floss them just like a natural tooth.
Who Is a Candidate for a Single Tooth Implant?
The requirements are the same as for any dental implant procedure and include:
- A commitment to maintaining good oral hygiene.
- A non-smoker or will quit during treatment.
- Having a strong, healthy jawbone that can support an implant or a willingness to have a dental bone graft.
The Single Tooth Implant Procedure Step-By-Step
The process for a single tooth implant is very straightforward.
Step One: Initial Consultation and Diagnostics
An initial consultation determines if you are a suitable candidate. Digital diagnostics, including dental X-rays and a cone-beam CT scan, enable us to assess your dental health more closely, particularly your jawbone, to ensure it is suitable for implant placement.
During this consultation, we can provide a custom treatment plan, sharing the anticipated costs of treatment. These costs can vary depending on whether a failing tooth must be extracted, if any bone grafting is necessary, and the type of materials used to make your implant crown.
Step Two: Implant Placement
Your dental implant can be placed using local anesthetic or sedation dentistry if you prefer. Placing a single dental implant typically takes less than an hour. We use computer-guided surgery when placing every dental implant, ensuring the treatment is quicker, more accurate, and less invasive.
Step Three: Healing
Once the implant is placed, it needs time to heal and Osseointegrate, usually 3 to 6 months. During this time, we can fit a temporary crown or another restoration, so you need not fear that you will be left with a space in your smile.
We will provide clear instructions on what to expect during the healing process and offer guidance on how to maintain oral hygiene. With a single dental implant, recovery is usually very quick, smooth, and comfortable. It’s not unusual to experience very little or no discomfort once the local anesthetic wears off.
Step Four: Crown Placement
After healing is complete, you return to our dental office so we can create your final, custom crown, completing your treatment.
FAQs
How Many Visits Will I Need for a Single Dental Implant?
You will likely need a minimum of three or four visits to plan your treatment, place the implant, and fit your permanent crown.
-
Will My Implants Look Like a Natural Tooth?
Yes, single dental implants look exceptionally natural. Your gum tissue surrounds them, and single implant crowns are contoured and shaded to look entirely natural.
-
Is the Procedure Painful?
Local anaesthesia ensures you will not feel any pain during implant placement. However, if you feel a little nervous, please ask us about sedation dentistry, which can be tailored to ensure you feel comfortable and relaxed.
-
Will Dental Insurance Cover the Cost of Implants?
It depends on your insurance policy, as some companies are now starting to cover at least part of the cost of dental implant surgery, regarding it as an essential restoration rather than a cosmetic dental treatment, which has been the case in the past. You will need to check with your insurance provider or ask us for help and advice.
NYC Dentistry Center6 E 45th Street, 8th Floor, Suite 2
New York, NY 10017
(212) 810-9264