If you are only missing one tooth and the adjacent teeth are healthy, Dr. Samantha Leatherwood will suggest a single tooth implant. This treatment involves placing an implant at the site of missing tooth and then securing a dental crown to it. Treatment for a single dental implant in Denton, TX will take about six months depending on the current state of your oral health. This tooth replacement option is better than a dental bridge because it offers more benefits.

WHY CHOOSE A SINGLE DENTAL IMPLANT?

If you have one missing tooth, you actually have several options available to you. A traditional dental bridge and a partial denture are also options in addition to the single dental implant. However, they do not provide as many benefits and are not as secure.

DENTAL BRIDGE

A traditional dental bridge is made up of two dental crowns with a pontic (the false tooth) located in between them. To replace a single tooth with a dental bridge, the adjacent teeth will need to be reduced in size. Then the two crowns are secured to them. Essentially, your dentist must permanently damage these teeth to replace the single tooth. They will also endure extra stress to hold the dental bridge in place.

PARTIAL DENTURE

A partial denture is made up of a false tooth that is fused to a metal/acrylic or plastic framework. The framework will hook onto any of the existing tooth to remain in place. This places extra stress on those teeth putting them at a higher risk of future damage. The metal in the framework is also sometimes noticeable when the patient is wearing the partial denture.

IMPLANT SECURED CROWN

A dental crown that is held in place with a single dental implant is the better choice. It involves surgically placing one implant fixture into the jaw bone at the site of the missing tooth. Then a custom dental crown is secured to the implant. This option does not require damaging any surrounding teeth nor does it require placing any stress on the healthy teeth. An implant secured crown is the only solution that will replace the tooth at the root. The dental implant will act as a replacement tooth root to prevent bone loss. It also provides much more support for the false tooth so that it can function more like a natural tooth.

HOW LONG WILL MY SINGLE TOOTH IMPLANT LAST?

Once we place your implant in your jaw bone, it is meant to last forever. However, you must take good care for your oral health. Even though the implant cannot decay, plaque can stick to it and cause an disease called peri-implantitis. This can cause the bone around the implant to deteriorate. The same goes for the dental crown. The better you care for it, the longer it will last. Some people can make their crown last for 30 years.

Book an Appointment for a Single Dental Implant in Denton, TX

Discuss all your options to replace a tooth by booking an appointment today with Dr. Leatherwood. She will examine your teeth to determine if a single dental implant is the best choice for you. Contact our Denton, TX dental practice today at (940) 220-3566 or use our online request form.