Patients seeking to replace one missing tooth can opt for a single tooth dental implant. The process involves making a hole in the jaw and putting an implant post inside it through surgery. After the implant successfully bonds with the jaw, it functions as a new tooth root for the crown we’ll place on top of it. The crown will also have the appearance and function of a natural tooth.
Patients getting implants usually need two surgeries three to six months apart. The first procedure involves making a small cut in the gum where the implant is meant to go. A hole is drilled in the jawbone, the implant is placed, then the incision is stitched shut.
After you’ve healed, we’ll set an appointment for the second procedure. This time we’ll make an incision in the gums to expose the implant and place a healing cap on top for a couple of weeks. The healing cap will expedite the healing process of your gum tissue. Once the gums have healed, we’ll make a digital impression to manufacture the crown to replace your missing tooth.
In years past, patients had to have a two procedure treatment plan. But we offer a one-stage procedure where your specialist at integratedDENTAL can place the implant, abutment, and crown all in a single visit.
Because your dental implants have essentially the same form and function as your normal teeth, you care for them the same way as you do your normal teeth. Brush and floss twice a day and come in for dental exams and cleanings twice a year. Contact us if your implants give you any problems.
Dental implants have a high success rate when patient selection and patient compliance are optimal, with implants in the mandible having a success rate of 96-99%! The successful healing of a patient’s implant depends greatly on the experience of the surgeon, the health of the patient, the materials used, and patient post-operative compliance. Our surgeons are dental specialists, we only use FDA-approved high-quality dental implants, and take the time to educate our patients to best ensure a positive outcome.
There is always a level of risk involved when we perform dental implant surgery. When we drill through the upper jawbone, there’s a risk of piercing the sinuses above the upper teeth. The sinuses can get infected if this happens. Fortunately, the digital surgical planning we do before surgery to determine where the nerves and sinuses are located improve the safety of this procedure.
Single-tooth implants function and look exactly like natural teeth, so you care for them the same way. Occasionally implants cause complications. For example, if you don’t have enough bone on which to place the implant, we may need to install it at an angle instead of straight on the jawbone. Sometimes it’s hard to get the prosthetic to look like a natural tooth. We also close gaps in the teeth by using wider crowns.
When cared for the right way, dental implants can last up to 25 years. The longevity of these prosthetics depends on how well you take care of them.