Not many people view a single missing tooth as something that you need to treat immediately. The truth is just one missing tooth can lead to further dental issues. It can lead to an uneven bite that causes chewing food to be difficult and painful for example.
That void can also cause the surrounding teeth to shift towards the gap. Most importantly, you will suffer from bone loss. A tooth’s root provides stimulation for the bone. Without that stimulation, the jaw bone around the gap will slowly begin to fall apart.
Dr. Cappy Sinclair and Dr. Mark Reichley provide dental implants in Virginia Beach, VA, for a single missing tooth. We recommend a single dental implant because it is the most natural, highly functioning, and permanent option available today.
At Coastal Cosmetic Dentistry in Virginia Beach, Dr. Sinclair and Dr. Reichley offer full services for dental implants. This all-inclusive implant treatment will save you the money and time of visiting multiple dentists and specialists. Working with the same dental team at every step of the process also guarantees that you receive consistent care.
Anatomy of a single dental implant: post, abutment, and dental crown.
Single Dental Implants Treatment in Virginia Beach, VA
A dental implant consists of a metal or titanium post, an abutment, and a dental crown. Our implant specialists can use a single dental implant to replace up to 3 missing teeth in a row!
To replace a single lost tooth, we will use an implant-supported dental crown. This implant-supported dental crown is a long-lasting solution for patients missing one tooth. Our implant dentistry specializes in replacement teeth services to restore your smile.
First, our dentist will create a treatment plan to address your missing tooth issue. We will analyze your oral health and craft a plan of attack. This plan may include dental services, such as a bone graft, that you may need for the implant surgery to be successful. If you qualify for a single tooth implant, we will move on to the next step.
Next, our dentist will surgically place the post into the jawbone where the tooth once was. This post will replace the root of the lost tooth. Because we are placing a new root, we are creating a permanent restoration that you can not remove. Oral surgery is necessary for this step, however it is a painless process because you will be under anesthesia.
After this surgical procedure, it will take about three to six months for the implant and the bone to fuse. We may place a temporary restoration so that you can use your teeth normally while you wait for the final crown.
The next step is another minor procedure where we attach an abutment to the single implant post. The abutment will hold the artificial tooth in place. Then, your dentist will screw or cement the final dental crown on top of the abutment. This step completes the single dental implant procedure.
However, we will place a custom dental bridge if you are replacing up to 3 consecutive teeth. The process is the same until you reach the abutment step. The dentist will place an abutment that can support a custom dental bridge that has two or three artificial teeth.
Why Choose a Single Dental Implant?
An implant-supported dental crown offers more benefits compared to a fixed dental bridge or partial denture. The greatest benefit is that the implant post replaces the tooth root, preventing bone loss. No other tooth replacement offers this.
When we place a dental bridge, it requires reducing the two adjacent teeth. The specialist will attach the bridge to these two teeth, adding pressure to them. You are essentially damaging two healthy teeth to replace a single tooth. A single dental implant does not involve damaging or utilizing healthy teeth.
A dentist can also use a partial denture to replace one tooth. This option uses metal clasps that hold the fake tooth in place. The metal clasps are noticeable when eating, speaking, and smiling. A partial denture is also not as durable, limiting the types of food you can eat.
Since the specialist surgically places the implant in the jaw, it creates a stable anchor for a dental crown. The dental implant will blend in with the rest of your teeth and look just like a natural tooth.
The Cost of a Single Dental Implant
We often hear from our patients that the cost of a dental implant is the biggest hurdle. We understand this concern and will do all we can to help our patients with the financial aspect. This option is more expensive because it involves surgical procedures, multiple visits, and also more materials to complete.
However, the long-term benefits of implants far outweigh the drawbacks. Dental implants are much less likely to need repairs in the future. This leads to a significantly higher quality of life.
To learn more about our dental implant services, visit:
- Cost of Dental Implants
- Dental implants in Virginia Beach, VA
- Dental Implant FAQs
- All on Four
- Benefits of All On Four Implants
- Teeth In A Day
- Single Dental Implants
- Multiple Dental Implants
- Dental Implants vs Dentures
- All on 4 Dental Implants Norfolk VA
- All-On-Four Dental Implants Chesapeake, VA
- All-On-Four Dental Implants Suffolk, VA
- Dental Implants Chesapeake VA
- Dental Implants Norfolk, VA