A single missing tooth can be replaced by a dental implant and a crown. A dental implant acts as a new root and a new tooth for the lost one.

What are the advantages of a single-tooth dental implant over a bridge?

A dental implant has several benefits over other ways of replacing teeth. It looks and works like a natural tooth, and it does not harm the teeth next to it. The other usual way of replacing a single tooth, a bridge that is fixed to the teeth, needs the nearby teeth to be shaved down to hold the bridge.

A dental implant acts as a new root for your tooth, which helps to keep the bone strong. With a bridge, the bone that used to surround the tooth starts to shrink or decay. Dental implants join with your jawbone, which helps to keep the bone healthy and whole.

A single implant can look better and last longer than a bridge. Gums can shrink around a bridge, making the metal base or ring of the bridge show. The bone under the bridge can also shrink, which can make your smile look bad. And, the cement that keeps the bridge in place can come out, letting bacteria damage the teeth that hold the bridge.

How will the implant be placed?

The first step is to put the implant, which is a screw or cylinder shape, into your jaw. For the next two to six months, the implant and the bone will join together to make a base for your artificial tooth. You can wear a temporary tooth over the implant site during this time.

Sometimes, a second step is needed to uncover the implant and attach a part. This part is a temporary cap that finishes the base for your new tooth. Your gums will heal for a few weeks after this step.

(Note: Some implant systems (one-stage) do not need this second step. They use an implant that already has the part attached. Your periodontist will tell you which system is best for you.)

The last step is to make a new tooth for you, called a crown, and attach it to a small metal post, called an abutment. In a short time, you will feel more confident in your smile and your ability to eat and talk. Dental implants look and feel so natural, you may not remember you ever lost a tooth.

Every case is different, and some of these steps can be done together if possible. Your periodontist will work with you to make the best treatment plan for you.