When you lose a single tooth, this doesn’t just mean a gap in your smile. Even just one missing tooth could lead to issues with the function and beauty of your smile. In today’s blog, your Santa Rosa, CA, oral surgeons discuss how we use implant technology to replace a single lost tooth with an implant and crown.
Losing a Single Tooth
Should one missing tooth really be a cause for concern? Yes. Even one lost tooth could upset the balance of your bite and cause surrounding teeth to drift from position, leading to misalignment. Over time, these complications could be linked to a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease, TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding), and of course, embarrassment for your smile’s appearance. Fortunately, our team knows how to replace an individual missing tooth with lifelike and long-lasting dental implants.
Placing Dental Implants
To begin, we want to make sure your smile is free of underlying oral health issues that complicate implant placement, such as untreated gum disease. Once we’re sure these issues are being properly managed, we will take detailed images and measurements of the smile, including of the roots and inner tissues in the jaw, to properly plan the placement and guide it with advanced technology. The dental implant post, made from titanium, is a screw-like device inserted into the bone tissue. Through osseointegration, the post bonds with the bone tissue like a natural root, which enables it to last for decades and prevent the loss of density in the bone tissue that could otherwise mean further tooth loss.
Creating A Restoration
Once we insert the post and the are heals, which could take up to four months, we will attach an abutment that holds a crown in place. The crown is the restoration that addresses the visible part of your new tooth. We custom-make the crown to ensure not only a natural appearance, but a perfect fit and a balanced bite. We want you to feel proud to smile, and be able to resume eating your favorite foods again without difficulty. With proper care at home and regular visits to your general dentist, this could help your new tooth last for many years to come, possibly a lifetime. If you have any questions about implant dentistry or oral surgery, then please contact our team today. We want to help you enjoy a full smile!
Do You Have Questions About the Implant Process?
Our team would like to help you again enjoy a full and beautiful smile with advanced technology. To learn more about addressing a single lost tooth, then schedule a consultation by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery in Santa Rosa, CA, today at 707-545-4625.