We have found that many people believe that if they are missing any permanent teeth that their only options for replacement are either dentures or a bridge. While bridges can be suitable for single tooth replacement, they are not the preferred method of treatment.

A bridge utilizes a crown that is held in place by the neighboring teeth. This crown is not anchored into the gums and can lack the stability and function that implants can offer. Also, because bridges are not anchored into the gums, your body may start to resorb, or remove, the bone that once held that tooth in place. As resorption continues, it can cause the neighboring teeth to become loose or fall out, which only compounds the problem.

In contrast, dental implants utilize a small titanium post that is inserted into the bone underneath the gums. This gives the implant the strength and function of your natural teeth. The implant also helps to stimulate the growth of new bone, so rather than weakening the jaw, the bone becomes even stronger.

The Process

If you are considering tooth replacement, contact Barotz Dental today to schedule your consultation. We will review your case and current situation to see what the best treatment options are for you. While some patients may not have enough bone currently in place, a bone graft can be used to ensure that your dental implants function well into the future.

Once you have decided that a single tooth dental implant is right for you, we will schedule you for the procedure. Typically, dental implants require two visits. During the first visit, a small incision is made into the gums so that our doctors can access the underlying bone.

The small titanium post is then placed into the bone. There is a small part of the post that is designed to stick out above the gum line. Once the procedure has been completed, the gums will be sutured, and we will take measurements so that the crown of the implant can be created explicitly for you.

After that first appointment, it is essential to practice good oral hygiene to keep your mouth free from bacteria and infection. In a few weeks, the implant will be sent to our office, and the implant should have healed. You will then come in for your second appointment.

At the second appointment, the crown will be fitted on the implant. We will make final adjustments to match it with the rest of your teeth and make sure it does not alter your bite pattern. After these adjustments are completed, you are finished. When you walk out of the door, nobody else will ever know that you were missing a tooth!