When a tooth is missing or requires extraction, it is important to have a replacement tooth put in the open space. Aside from how it will affect your appearance, a missing tooth can lead to further dental problems. These problems can include:
- Causing an uneven bite
- Additional tooth loss
- Speech problems
- Difficulty chewing food
- Shifting teeth
- Pressure on surrounding teeth
- Jaw bone loss
Using the time, effort, and money to replace one missing tooth seems like a lot, but the damage it can cause requires expensive and invasive treatment.
Dr. Conover will recommend replacing the tooth with a dental implant rather than a bridge or partial denture. Dental implants have a success rate of about 97% and are the most natural solution to tooth loss.
About a Single Dental Implant
A dental implant is a screw-like metal post surgically implanted into the jaw bone. Once placed in the jawbone where the tooth once was, it takes about two to five months to fully heal and fuse with the surrounding bone. Then, a small piece called an abutment is attached to the implant during a simple procedure. After a few additional weeks of healing, a dental crown is attached to the implant/abutment and serves as the replacement tooth.
The single best reason dental implants are superior to other solutions is that they replace the tooth root. This stimulates the bone tissue (just as the tooth root once did) and prevents bone loss. No one will ever know you have a fake tooth because the implant-supported crown will look like a natural tooth, blending in with the rest of your smile.
You will care for it the same way you care for your other teeth: brushing and flossing every day and visiting our Philadelphia dentist office twice a year for a regular checkup. An implant-supported crown also allows you to eat all the foods you love without restrictions.
The Cost of a Single Dental Implant
A dental implant will cost more than a dental bridge or partial denture. A single implant will cost at least $5,000. This is because the process of getting it placed involves multiple visits and several procedures. It will also take months to complete, compared to the weeks it will take for the other options.
Single Dental Implant vs a Bridge or Partial Denture
A dental implant offers many more benefits comparatively. A dental bridge requires grinding down the two adjacent teeth. We must also attach the bridge to these teeth, which adds a lot of pressure. You don’t have to damage other teeth for a single dental implant before placement.
A partial denture uses metal clasps that hold the replacement tooth in place. These metal clasps, however, may be noticeable while smiling. This restoration is also not very durable and can slip around and even fall out while eating or speaking.
You must care for it nightly during your normal oral care routine. Since we surgically place an implant in the jaw bone, it provides a durable and stable base for the dental crown. It will not slip around or fall out, and you can care for it like your other natural teeth.