When we think of dental implants, our minds conjure up images of a dentist drilling into the jawbone. However, single tooth implants have now become popular for the replacement of missing teeth. If you only have one place in your mouth without any teeth, getting a traditional dental bridge or fixed dentures is not an option. Tooth implants are artificial roots that are placed directly into the jawbone to support dental prosthetics such as crowns, bridges, or false teeth. They’re small titanium fixtures with holes on either side so that after being inserted they will fuse with the bone and stay in place for the long term. If you have only one empty tooth socket and want to know more about single tooth implants, keep reading!
What are the benefits of single tooth implants?
Single tooth implants have a number of benefits, including Aesthetic Implants are a great option for those who want to replace missing teeth for aesthetic reasons. No one has to know that you have a dental implant because it blends in with the surrounding teeth and lips. Comfort Implants are also beneficial for those who want to eat certain foods that are hard to chew on dentures.
Unlike fixed dental prosthetics, they are not attached to the gums so they don’t put pressure on the surrounding tissues. Stability Another great benefit of implants is their stability. They are fused to the jawbone, which means they’re not going anywhere, unlike fixed prosthetics. Single tooth implants are also beneficial for those who are not good candidates for fixed dental prosthetics.
How long is the dental implant’s recovery?
Most patients are pleasantly surprised at how simple dental implant surgery is and consider it easier than getting a tooth pulled. You can expect to return to work or your daily activities the next day. If you begin to feel any soreness, we recommend taking over-the-counter pain relievers like Advil.
Similar to other dental procedures, avoiding hard foods is best, and using an ice pack can help with the swelling. The healing time for a dental implant to fuse with your bone can take four or more months. Once it is fully healed, you will be ready for the next step: your crown restoration, which will look like a natural tooth and can be made right in our office.
How do single tooth implants work?
Single tooth implants are a great option for replacing a single missing tooth. They are placed directly into the jawbone, which is where natural teeth are anchored. Unlike dental bridges or dentures that are attached to the gums, implants are fused to the jaw and will stay in place permanently. The process of single tooth implants is similar to that of a traditional implant.
First, your dentist will make a small incision in the gum and place the titanium implant in the bone. After it heals, the dentist will attach a prosthetic like a crown. Depending on what kind of crown you get, it can stay in place for several years. If you want to change the color of your crown or if it starts to break, you can get a new one without having to get a new implant.
Who is a candidate for single tooth implants?
Single tooth implants are ideal for those who have only one empty tooth socket and need a dental prosthetic. However, as with any other procedure, there are certain factors you should keep in mind before getting implants.
Your oral health: Your gums and bone health will determine if you’re a good candidate for implants. If there are no other teeth in the area where you want to get the implant, there should be enough surrounding bone to anchor it.
Your financial situation: Implants are often expensive, and since you will need to go back to the dentist for several follow-up visits, they are not a cheap procedure.
Your lifestyle: If you are a smoker or drink a lot of coffee or alcohol, it is best to wait before you get dental implants. Smoking and excessive caffeine intake will damage the bone around the implant site and make it tougher to heal.
Things to keep in mind before getting a single implant
- Location – You can get an implant in any tooth. However, since there is only one implant and one prosthetic, you should think long and hard about the location of the implant and what you will use it for. It is best to get a tooth implant on the side of the mouth where you have more teeth.
- Impact on other teeth – If you’re getting an implant on a tooth next to another healthy tooth, it will not have much impact on the neighboring teeth. However, if you decide to get an implant on a tooth with no other teeth in the area, it will put pressure on the surrounding teeth, which could lead to damage.
- Impact on your bite – If you get an implant in the upper jaw, it will have no impact on your bite. However, if you get one in the lower jaw, it could have an impact on your bite.
The pain factor – is it really that bad?
Getting an implant is not as painful as you might think. When people think about implants, they think about intense pain, but the whole process is actually pretty quick. First, your dentist will make a small incision in the gum and place the implant in the bone. Then, the dentist will cover the site with a soft dressing until it heals. After that, you will have to come back to the dentist to get the prosthetic.
The implant is a foreign body that will cause inflammation, but it will stop after a few weeks. The whole process of getting one implant is often less than two hours. The pain that patients feel when they get dental implant surgery is actually not from the hole made in the bone or the placement of the implant the pain usually comes from the soft tissue manipulation that occurs during the process.
With that in mind, dental implants that do not require lifting the gum tissue are actually painless, with patients reporting pain levels of one to two after the procedure. If a small flap of gum tissue is lifted, the pain level is at three or four for the first night and subsides after that.
If the bone has to be grafted for the procedure, the pain level is higher and patients are at a 5 five or six in terms of the pain they experience for the first three days after the procedure, which will require giving them a strong pain reliever.
Conclusion
When it comes to replacing a missing tooth, single tooth implants are a great option. They are easy to place, relatively affordable, and allow you to continue chewing the foods you enjoy on a daily basis. All in all, they are a great solution for those who want to replace a single tooth.
Suggested Article –
- Pros and Cons of Full Mouth Dental Implants
- Difference between Crowns and Dental Implants?
- Who is the Best Dental Implant specialist in Delhi?
- Are dental implants better than alternates?
