Single Tooth Implant
Beverly, Ma
 Losing a tooth can be a trying experience, especially if it is a tooth that is easily visible when you speak or smile. Missing a tooth takes away from the function of your teeth and can even influence your speech patterns. If you have lost a tooth as a result of an accident or decay, our team at Thomas P. Rafferty, DDS can help through the use of a single tooth implant.
What Is a Single Tooth Implant?
A single tooth implant is a restorative procedure that is designed to replace a single lost or severely damaged tooth. This is accomplished with a titanium post and a crown that is affixed to the post. The crown will function like your natural tooth and is color-matched to be the same shade as adjacent teeth. Single tooth implants provide a seamless restoration option to boost your confidence and restore function.
What Is the Procedure Like?
The single tooth implant procedure is similar to the procedure for receiving regular cosmetic dental implants. First, our team will administer an anesthetic. After it has taken effect, our professional will install a titanium post at the procedure site. This post is attached directly to your jawbone.
Our team will allow the next several months to heal and fuse with your bone. According to Perio.org, this process can take anywhere from two to six months. While you are waiting for your mouth to heal, you will be provided with a temporary tooth replacement to wear on the implant site. After healing is complete, you will return to our office so that our professional can attach the finished crown to your implant.
What Are the Benefits?
A single tooth implant offers many benefits over other restoration options. The titanium post used for the implant will last for the rest of your life and will never need to be replaced. The crown will last approximately ten years, according to WebMD. It is also easy for our team to repair or replace it if it is chipped or damaged.
A common alternative to the single tooth implant is a dental bridge. Before a dental bridge can be placed, our professional will have to grind down the two adjacent teeth. This process damages your adjacent teeth and makes them more susceptible to decay. A dental bridge also does not protect you from gum recession or a loss of bone density.
A single tooth implant does not require any modifications be made to your adjacent teeth. In addition, the post replaces the missing tooth root and serves to preserve your gumline and bone density. By protecting you from these common effects of tooth loss, a single tooth implant helps to preserve your overall oral health while also blending in with your natural teeth.
If you have lost a tooth or experienced a severely damaged tooth that is beyond repair, a single tooth implant may be right for you. Our team at Thomas P. Rafferty, DDS can discuss dental implants with you during your visit and determine if a single tooth implant is right for you. You can schedule your appointment by calling our office at (978) 720-9009. |
