Dr. Dhara Patel is an experienced restorative dentist in Hoffman Estates, IL. She can replace a tooth with an affordable dental implant if you have a missing tooth. This quality tooth replacement option will look natural and offer more health benefits than any other missing teeth solution.
What is a Single-tooth Dental Implant?
Several options are available to replace a tooth. However, a dental implant is the most natural and is growing in popularity due to how realistic it looks and feels. Other options include a dental bridge or partial denture, but those options have many disadvantages.
A single-tooth dental implant is a dental implant used 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 to restore the missing tooth.
Single-tooth implants are a popular choice for replacing a single missing tooth because they provide a durable and natural long-term solution. 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, 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 (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’s not stable enough for a proper diet and requires using the surrounding teeth to help hold it in place. It is typically used as a temporary solution.
Parts of a Single-tooth Dental Implant
A single-tooth dental implant consists of three parts. We connect these pieces 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 into the jaw to secure the restoration in place. The dentist, periodontist, or oral surgeon surgically installs it in the jawbone. After a few months, it will eventually completely fuse with the surrounding bone.
- Abutment – The abutment is a small connector piece that secures the dental crown to the fixture. The dentist will attach the abutment after your mouth heals from implant fixture surgery. It is a quick and painless step in the process.
- Dental crown—The last part is the dental crown. It is the visible piece of the single-tooth implant that mimics a real tooth. The dentist can usually attach the crown simultaneously with 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 health and aesthetics. Contact Dr. Patel in Hoffman Estates, IL to schedule a consultation by requesting an appointment online.
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