A single missing tooth may not seem like a big deal, but it can make all the difference to your smile. A missing back tooth may make chewing your food a little tricky, but a missing front tooth can really ruin your smile and make biting your food quite difficult.
If you have one or two missing teeth, single tooth dental implants are a great way to fill in the gaps left in their wake. This procedure not only replaces the missing tooth, but the root as well. This makes it a permanent and practical solution.
Call Ace Dental today and make an appointment to see one of our highly skilled dentists today.
What Are The Advantages Of A Single Tooth Implant?
If your teeth are otherwise healthy, but you’re missing a single tooth or two, single tooth implants are a quick and relatively simple solution to your problem. A single tooth dental implant can be matched in colour, shape and size to match your existing teeth so it will look perfectly natural.
Dental implants fuse to your jawbone so over time, it will become a permanent part of your jaw. Your gums will also integrate around the implant so it will be very difficult to tell it apart from your natural teeth and because you are only working on one tooth, it is a quick and effective solution.
What To Expect
The first step is the implant itself. This is a screw like mechanism that is fitted into your jawbone. Your gum tissue will cover the implant and you will usually need to wait a few months for the implant to fuse into your jaw.
Once your implant has securely fused into your jawbone, the next step is to attach the post. Although this is usually left to wait until after the implant is fused, in some instances, the post is inserted at the same time the implant is put into place.
The final step in the process is to attach a crown. This is a custom-made replica of your teeth. Once it has been secured to the implant and post, your single tooth dental implant is complete and you have a full smile again.
Is This Procedure Painful?
When your single tooth dental implant is being fitted, you will be given an anaesthetic so you won’t feel any paid during the procedure. You may, however, feel some discomfort after the anaesthetic has worn off. This should only be slight though, and short lived. When your dentist only needs to work on a single tooth implant, the area is small and any discomfort is usually localized to the implant site. Such mild pain and discomfort should not cause any disruption to your daily routine and if needed, you can take a mild pain medication to help you cope.
How Long Will A Single Tooth Dental Implant Last?
Dental implants can last a lifetime, so this is a permanent solution to a gap-toothed smile. With adequate care, you will never need to go through the implant process again. The crown is a different issue though. The crown sees a lot of action with speaking, gritting your teeth and eating so it is subject to wear and tear. In most cases, the crown can last for 10 to 15 years before you need to replace it.
Caring For A Single Tooth Dental Implant
The great thing about a single tooth dental implant is that once the process is complete, no special care is required. You can brush and floss your implanted replacement tooth in the same manner as the rest of your teeth. All that is important is that you maintain good oral hygiene practices and visit your dentist for a full oral check up at least twice a year.
Your Ace Dental dentist can give you additional information on proper dental care, particularly with a single tooth dental implant and, if you have any concerns, talk to your dentist. With a little extra care, you can have a hassle-free smile.
Call on 020 8530 4230 to find out how our team can help you improve your smile.
