Dr. Dhara Patel is an experienced restorative dentist in Hoffman Estates, IL. If you have a missing tooth, she can replace it with an affordable dental implant. This quality tooth replacement option will look completely natural and offers more health benefits than any other missing teeth solution.
What is a Single-tooth Dental Implant?
There are several options available that can replace a tooth. However, a dental implant is the most natural. It is growing in popularity due to how realistic it looks and feels. The other options you can choose include a dental bridge or partial denture, but those options come with many downfalls.
A single-tooth dental implant is a type of dental implant that we use to replace a single missing tooth. The implant itself is a small metal post, consisting of titanium. Dr. Patel surgically implants this post into your jawbone to create the anchor for the dental crown. Once the muth heals over the post, Dr. Patel places the abutment and dental crown on top of it to restore the missing tooth.
Single-tooth implants are a popular choice for replacing a single missing tooth because they provide a long-term solution that is both durable and natural-looking. It is also better for oral health because it replaces the tooth at the root and does not harm any remaining teeth. Additionally, implants help to preserve the jawbone and prevent further tooth loss. Since the implant replaces the tooth root, you don’t need to worry about bone loss in your jaw.
Are There Alternatives to a Single-tooth Dental Implant?
Traditionally, a dental bridge will replace a single tooth. However, this option will only replace the tooth and not the missing root. Therefore, the underlying bone will slowly deteriorate over the years. It also requires the use of healthy, remaining teeth. We grind down the two teeth (or sometimes one) adjacent to the gap to secure the bridge. They take on extra stress as well. However, this is an affordable option to replace a tooth if you do not qualify for an implant.
A partial denture, often called a flipper tooth, is never meant to be a permanent solution for a missing tooth. It is not stable enough to eat a proper diet and requires using surrounding teeth to help hold it in place. It is typically used as a temporary solution.
Parts of a Single-tooth Dental Implant
There are three parts that make a single-tooth dental implant. We connect these pieces together to create a realistic replacement tooth that we can place anywhere in the mouth.
- Fixture – The fixture is the first and most important part. It has many different names, such as the implant post or implant body. The fixture is what goes in to the jaw to secure the restoration in place. The dentist, periodontist, or oral surgeon surgically installs it in the jawbone. It will eventually completely fuse with the surrounding bone after a few months.
- Abutment – The abutment is a small connector piece that secures the dental crown to the fixture. After your mouth heals from implant fixture surgery, the dentist will attach the abutment. It is a quick and painless step in the process.
- Dental crown – The last part is the dental crown. It is the piece of the single-tooth implant that is visible and mimics a real tooth. The dentist can usually attach the dental crown at the same time as the abutment.
How Much Does a Single-tooth Implant Cost?
A single dental implant can replace one tooth for about $1,500 – $5,000. This broad price range is due to the many factors influencing the total cost. (It may even cost more or less than that.) The current state of your oral health, dental insurance coverage, and the types of materials used will all affect your out-of-pocket cost.
Replacing your tooth with a dental implant-supported crown is the best option for your health and aesthetic reasons. Contact Dr. Patel in Hoffman Estates, IL to schedule a consultation by requesting an appointment online.
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