Single Tooth Implant
Washougal, WA
 A single-tooth implant refers to the replacement of a single missing tooth with a single dental implant and a dental crown.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants replace the roots of a missing tooth. They are metal screw-like titanium posts that are surgically placed inside the jawbone. The bone is allowed to grow around the implant and heal for the next three to six months, during which a temporary tooth is used to cover the sight of the dental implant. When the jawbone heals, the temporary cap is removed, an abutment is attached, and finally, a replacement tooth, or a crown, is attached to the metal implant.
Dental Crown
A single tooth implant is made up of three components.
• The implant itself is made up of titanium, a biocompatible material, and screwed inside the jawbone.
• The abutment, which is made of either gold, titanium, or porcelain, is attached on top of the implant so that it can connect the dental implant to the crown.
• The dental crown, a tooth-shaped cap that replaces a broken, decayed, or worn down tooth. Dentists use a crown made up of all-metal, porcelain fused to metal, or all porcelain. The crown is made to match the natural color of a patient's teeth and then attached to the abutment.
Single Tooth Implants vs. Dental Bridge
The major difference between dental implants and bridges is that single-tooth implants will not require grinding down or reducing adjacent teeth to accommodate the replacement tooth. A dental bridge, on the other hand, needs support from adjacent teeth, thus compromising their strength. Dental bridges do not replace the missing tooth root, so the jawbone slowly starts deteriorating, thus affecting the cosmetic appearance of a person and the health of the remaining teeth in the mouth. A dental implant will not allow the jawbone to deteriorate around the replacement tooth, but with a dental bridge, the gums can recede, showing a visible defect over time and washing off the cement that holds the bridge in place. In this way, bacteria growth can cause tooth decay in neighboring healthy teeth.
Dental Implants vs. Dentures
Dentures are less costly than dental implants but still offer fewer advantages than dental implants. With dentures, a person might have to wait a considerable time before they get used to these prosthetic devices and find them comfortable while chewing and talking. Still, there are many chances that dentures might slip out of their place, which is not the case with dental implants. A dental implant, once surgically placed, will not fall out while chewing or speaking and will feel and function like natural teeth. Most dentures need to be soaked overnight to retain their shape. Brushing your dentures daily and soaking them in a denture cleanser is essential to prevent staining and food and bacterial contamination. Dental implants have several advantages over dentures and dental bridges. Our dentists at Orchard Hills Dental recommend single-tooth implants as the most successful technique for tooth replacement. Our dental professionals Dr. Jaswal and Dr. Farah can help you determine the best plan according to your oral health and requirement and recommend the best-suited tooth replacement option. Call us at (360) 335-8899 to schedule your appointment. |
