Did you know that 120 million people in the United States are missing one or more teeth? Missing a tooth can make it difficult to chew food or speak properly. It can also hurt your self-esteem.
This is why a single tooth implant may be a good solution. But what should you expect from the single tooth implant process? How can you know if it’s the right choice for you?
Keep reading and learn more about how it works below.
What You Need to Know About a Single Tooth Implant
You will be a good single tooth implant candidate if you are missing one tooth. If you are missing several teeth in a row, it would be better to get a bridge or several implants. People lose teeth for many reasons.
The tooth may have gotten infected or knocked out. A single tooth implant can easily fix the problem. The process starts by drilling a metal post into your jawbone.
This post is usually made of titanium or surgical steel. This ensures that the post is durable and won’t cause any problems. It is necessary to drill the post into the jawbone because the bone will act as an anchor for the rest of the implant.
If your jawbone is too thin for this procedure, you may need a bone graft first. This will extend the length of the process, but it will ensure that your jaw is strong enough to accommodate the implant. Once the post is installed, you will need to wait a few weeks for the implant to heal.
The Details
It will take time for your jawbone to grow around the implant and anchor it in place. It will be impossible for the implant to move once this happens.
The next step is adding an abutment and then the crown.
The crown is the part of the implant that looks like a real tooth. The abutment is a small piece that acts as a buffer between the crown and the metal post. The implant will look like the rest of your teeth once the crown is installed.
The crown will be carefully chosen to match the shape, size, and color of the rest of your teeth. This will make it look as realistic as possible. It will also be very durable.
It should be almost as durable as the rest of your teeth. This makes it easier to chew food properly again. But you should stay away from hard substances like ice and peanuts since they may crack the implant.
Taking care of the implant is as easy as taking care of the rest of your teeth as well. Having such an implant will give you a more confident and attractive smile too.
All About Single Tooth Implant Options
A single tooth implant is a great choice if you are missing one tooth. It will fill that gap and make your smile look flawless again. The procedure is also very straightforward.
To learn more about getting a dental implant, check out our options.
