Replacing a Missing or Damaged Tooth with a Dental Implant
The expert implant dentistry team at Frederick Center for Dentistry offers a single dental implant for patients missing one tooth or who have a failing tooth. This long-term solution offers more health and aesthetic benefits.
Problems Caused by a Missing or Compromised Tooth
- Issues chewing food
- Remaining teeth surrounding the gap will shift
- Bite problems may develop
- Bone loss in the jaw
- Embarrassment
- More susceptible to developing gum disease and bad breath
Why Choose a Single Dental Implant?
To replace one tooth, there are several options available. The traditional dental bridge that is supported by adjacent teeth has been used for many years however it possesses many faults. To replace one tooth, you will have to reduce two healthy teeth that lie on both sides of the gap. Those teeth, called abutment teeth, will also endure extra stress. The two dental crowns located on the bridge will be bonded to them. This solution will not prevent bone loss and is not as durable.
A single dental implant that secures a dental crown is the most natural solution. Your new tooth will look and function as if you never lost the tooth. The implant will be placed in the jaw bone and this will prevent bone loss. This option does not involve harming other surrounding teeth. It simply replaces one tooth and leaves the other healthy teeth intact. It is also much easier to care for an implant supported dental crown.
Single Dental Implant Procedure
We have an expert dental implant team at our Frederick, MD dental practice which means we can perform every step of the process in-house. During your consultation, we will examine your teeth, jaw, and oral health to determine if you qualify for a single dental implant. If you do, we will schedule you for your implant surgery.
On the day of your surgery, your dentist will insert one dental implant into the jaw at the location of the missing tooth. This is a fairly minor procedure that only requires local anesthetic. It will be covered up with gum tissue and left to heal for about three to six months. During this time, the implant will fuse with the bone. You will be seen a few times during this period to make sure you are healing well and there are no issues.
Once you are fully healed and the implant is fused to the jaw bone, we will uncover the implant during a minor procedure and place an abutment on it. An abutment is like a connector piece that unites the implant with the crown. After an additional two weeks of healing, your custom made dental crown will be affixed to the implant.
- Implant Dentistry Overview
- Parts of a Dental Implant
- Dental Implants FAQs
- Advantages of Dental Implants
- Dental Implants vs Dentures
- The Dental Implants Process
- Multiple Dental Implants
- The Cost of Dental Implants
Book your single dental implant consultation at Frederick Center for Dentistry. Learn more about why a single dental implant the best solution for a missing or compromised tooth. Schedule a consultation with one of our expert implant dentists today by calling 301-264-5680. You can also request a dental implant consultation with our dentists on our website.