A single missing tooth can compromise the structure and health of your entire smile. Even one missing tooth jeopardizes the health and stability of your bite. Replacing a single missing tooth can prevent a whole range of secondary dental health concerns from developing. A single missing tooth increases your risk of:
- Shifting of teeth, crooked teeth
- Additional tooth loss
- Bone loss
- Gum disease
- Tooth decay
Replace a Missing Tooth with a Single-Tooth Dental Implant
Dental implants are the “gold standard” in single-tooth replacement. Designed to function and look like a natural human tooth, a single dental implant is the most effective way to replace a missing tooth.
How is a Single-Tooth Implant Procedure Performed?
A single implant is composed of three essential pieces that mimic the natural ingenuity of a tooth. The full dental implant consists of a dental implant post, an abutment, and a dental crown. Each piece works together to create a secure, permanent, and comfortable replacement option that improves the look and health of the smile.
- The Dental Implant Post: The implant post is a small titanium screw-like structure that is surgically implanted into the jaw. The implant post acts as a prosthetic root system, helping to stabilize and stimulate natural bone growth. The implant is made of medical-grade titanium that fuses with the jaw bone, helping to prevent shifting of the teeth or additional bone or tooth loss from occurring. Once the implant is inserted into the root socket, it is left to heal for approximately 3-6 months.
- The Abutment: A small metal abutment is then attached to the top of the implant post and protrudes from the gum line. The abutment is used as an anchor to hold a dental crown in place.
- The Dental Restoration: A dental crown will be custom-designed to blend seamlessly with adjacent teeth. Dental crowns are designed using high-quality modern dental materials that reflect light like natural teeth. The crown is color-matched and shaped to enhance your natural smile.
How long does it take a single-tooth implant to heal?
The process of receiving a single implant involves three steps, as described elsewhere on this page. Once Dr. Cavallo places the implant base into your jaw, it takes from 3-6 months for the jawbone to grow around the implant and make it a part of the jaw. Healing for the small gum incision needed to access the jawbone takes just a week or so to heal.
Attaching the abutment to the implant base involves a second small incision to access the top of the implant base and attach the abutment. After this step, the gums need to heal and settle down around the abutment. This takes two weeks or so.
There isn’t any healing or time involved after Dr. Cavallo places the artificial tooth/crown onto the abutment. You can immediately begin using your new dental implant.
How long will a single-tooth implant last?
Dr. Cavallo prefers to use dental-grade porcelain for all of the crowns we place with dental implants. Dental porcelain closely resembles the slight translucence of natural tooth enamel in the way it absorbs some light and reflects some light. Dental porcelain is also virtually impervious to staining, and it is immensely strong.
In most cases, a single-tooth dental implant will last the remainder of the patient’s life. The implant base is not a question; it’s there for the duration once established. If something happens to the artificial tooth, it is easy to replace and attach to the implant base and abutment.
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Taking Care of Your New Dental Implant
Getting a single dental implant is a fantastic way to fill the gap from a missing tooth with something that looks, feels, and works just like the real thing. But the key to its long-term success is how you take care of it while it’s settling in. The great news is that once it’s fully healed, caring for an implant is super simple. Let’s walk through what you need to know.
The Healing Phase: The First Few Weeks
Right after your implant is placed, your body needs time to do its magic. Think of this as the “construction zone” phase. Your dentist has made a small opening in your gum to place the implant post, and that area needs to heal properly.
During this initial healing period, which usually lasts a couple of weeks, you’ll want to stick to a soft-food diet. This isn’t a punishment. It’s about being gentle with the surgical site so it can heal without any irritation. Great foods to eat during this time include:
- Room-temperature soups
- Smoothies and protein shakes
- Yogurt, pudding, and applesauce
- Scrambled eggs
- Mashed potatoes or avocado
- Well-cooked pasta
The goal is to avoid chewing directly on the implant area. This protects the delicate gum tissue and gives the implant a peaceful environment to start fusing with your jawbone, a process called osseointegration.
Your Simple, Long-Term Care Routine
The amazing thing about a healed dental implant is that you care for it just like your natural teeth. Fortunately, the implant itself can’t get a cavity. However, the health of the gums and bone around it is still super important.
Your daily routine should be:
- Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Floss daily to clean around the implant crown and keep the gums healthy.
- Keep up with your regular dental check-ups so your dentist can make sure everything is still in perfect shape.
By following these simple steps after your surgery and sticking to a good hygiene routine for life, your dental implant can stay strong and healthy for decades. You’ll eat, smile, and live with complete confidence.
Is a Single-tooth Implant for You?
Dr. Cavallo believes dental implants to be far and away the best solution for a missing tooth or a tooth needing extraction. It can be tempting for a patient not to replace a missing tooth, but this shortsighted cost savings can be an expensive long-term decision.
Teeth remain in place through the pressure exerted upon them by the teeth on each side of them. When a tooth is missing, the teeth on each side of the gap tend to slide over into the gap. For a visual metaphor of sorts, think of it as similar to crowds in bleacher seats at a football game. When a person leaves to get a hot dog, the people slide over into the gap. When your tooth alignment is involved, this can create issues with your bite alignment, leading to bruxism, temporomandibular joint pain, and other problems.
Dental implants feel and function just like a natural tooth. They allow you to eat anything you want, and they typically last the remainder of your life. Cosmetically, they return your complete smile, and they maintain the proper alignment of your teeth. Of the two options for replacing a missing tooth, an implant or a bridge, a dental implant is the way to go.
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