Dental implants have changed the way people see tooth replacement. It gives them an option beyond dentures or bridges. Our dental implant services at Lovett Dental Baytown allow you to replace one tooth or several, depending on your needs. If you have a missing tooth, it’s time to consider what a single tooth implant might do for you.
What is a Single Tooth Implant?
Dental implants are the gold standard for tooth replacement. Unlike dentures or bridges, implants are permanent prosthetics that function like natural teeth. They offer a long-term solution to tooth loss.
Dental implants, in general, are titanium posts surgically placed into your jawbone. The post creates a foundation for a crown.
Dental crowns can do two things. They can cap the top of a damaged tooth to make it whole again. They can also go on the top of implant posts to completely replace a missing tooth. Crowns are made from a variety of materials, including porcelain, ceramic, or composite resin. Sometimes more than one material goes into making a crown. For example, they might fuse porcelain to metal to create a crown.
Who Can Get a Single Tooth Implant?
Not everyone is a good candidate for a tooth implant. To qualify for dental implants, you must have:
- Healthy gums
- Healthy, strong bone to hold the post or be a candidate for a bone graft
- Good oral hygiene to improve the chances of success
In some cases, the dentist can offer several dental implant options. For example, a subperiosteal implant uses a metal frame fixed to the jawbone to secure the post.
There are other forms of dental implants that might be a better choice for you. For instance, snap-on overdentures are similar to traditional dentures, but they attach to dental implants to make them more secure.
What to Expect
A single tooth implant involves three parts: the implant, the abutment, and the crown. First, the cosmetic dentist will place the implant. Placement of the implant is oral surgery usually done under local anesthesia. A cut into the gum exposes the jawbone. After drilling a hole in the bone, the surgeon fills it with the implant post.
Once the implant fuses with the bone, approximately two weeks, the dentist puts on the abutment. An abutment connects the crown to the post. Crowns are specially made to fit your mouth. Once the crown is ready, it is screwed or cemented onto the abutment. The crown should function like a normal tooth.
The exact steps for a single tooth implant may vary based on the dentist. It’s a critical process, though, so stick with a dental practice that has a specialist on staff.
Discover What Lovett Dental Baytown Has to Offer
Lovett Dental Baytown offers six types of specialty care, including:
- Pediatric
- Orthodontist
- Periodontist
- Maxillofacial surgeon
- Endodontist
Lovett Dental Baytown services the residents of Baytown, TX, and the surrounding area. They provide specialty treatments like cosmetic dentistry. Lovett Dental Baytown is family dentistry, though, so they are a dental solution for everyone from the baby to grandma. You can go to Lovett Dental Baytown for regular visits, dental cleanings, and emergency dental services.
Along with dental implants, Lovett Dental Baytown offers other cosmetic dental options. Composite bonding uses a dental restoration material to repair a damaged tooth. Veneers cover individual teeth if they have stains, cracks, or gaps. They also provide tooth whitening services for a brighter smile.
You don’t have to live with an ugly gap caused by a missing tooth. Give us a call at Lovett Dental Baytown to find out more about a single dental implant. You can reach us at 281-838-8400 or go online and fill out our contact form, and we’ll be in touch.
