Single Tooth Replacement with Implants
Stuart, FL
Even a single missing tooth can adversely affect the health and functionality of your entire mouth, not to mention the blow to your self-confidence. In the past, people who had one or a few teeth missing had to wear dental bridges or partial dentures. Today, however, we at Colin M. McKinney, DMD strongly recommend the use of dental implants to replace your missing teeth.
Components of a Dental Implant
A dental implant typically consists of three parts:
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The implant: This is a screw-shaped device typically made from titanium, a hypoallergenic metal. The prosthetic is used to replace the missing tooth root and serves as a support to the dental crown. The dental implant is placed inside the tooth socket in the upper or lower jaw.
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Abutment: The abutment is a connection between the dental implant and the crown. This attachment is made from titanium, gold, or porcelain and is formed like a natural tooth that has been shaved to anchor the crown.
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Dental Crown: This is an artificial tooth that serves to restore chewing and biting ability. A dental crown may be made from a variety of materials including gold alloy, base-metals, porcelain fused to metal, porcelain, and composite resin. The most natural-looking crown is made entirely of porcelain. |
Single-Tooth Implant Replacement Procedure
Single-tooth implants are placed in people who are missing one tooth or a few teeth in different areas of the upper and lower arch. At Colin M. McKinney, DMD, Dr. Colin M. McKinney and Dr. McKinney we will first conduct an oral exam, including the use of x-rays. Every dental implant procedure is personalized to the individual, though it follows the same basic steps.
We will administer local anesthesia to the site where the implant is to be placed. In some cases, we may also give you mild sedation to ensure you do not suffer from high anxiety during the procedure.
We will make a small incision in your gums to expose the underlying bone tissue and then bore a small hole in the jawbone. Since the jawbone does not have too many nerve endings, you will not experience too much discomfort even after the anesthesia has worn off.
We will then place the implant into the socket of the missing tooth, suture the wound closed and allow it to heal. As the bone heals, it will fuse itself to the titanium of the implant. This process is known as osseointegration and is responsible for the stability of the implant. This process will take a few months to complete.
Once the implant is anchored securely to your jaw, we will attach the abutment to it. This abutment will act as a seat to the artificial tooth or crown. We will then make a few impressions of your teeth and match the color of the crown to your natural teeth. The crown will be created in a dental lab and can take a couple of weeks to be completed.
Once the crown is ready, we will cement it on top of the abutment. The new tooth will look, function, and feel almost exactly like your natural tooth.
Benefits of Single Tooth Dental Implant
Single-tooth dental implants offer several benefits:
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Dental implants are the strongest and most secure type of dental replacement tooth.
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They prevent bone deterioration which is a natural occurrence when a tooth is lost.
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Dental implants prevent the remaining teeth from shifting out of position.
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Dental implants do not require any special care or treatment.
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Anyone with relatively good oral health is a good candidate for dental implants.
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They can last for about 25 years with proper care.
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Dental implants have an up to 98% success rate, depending on where they are placed. |
If you have a missing tooth, we may recommend getting a dental implant for it. Call us at (772) 266-2223 today so that we can schedule a consultation appointment and find out whether a dental implant would be a good treatment choice for you.
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