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Single Dental Implants

No tooth replacement option lets you go about your day-to-day life as easily as dental implants. Functioning like a natural tooth thanks to an artificial root, or anchor, implants mean more than just being able to eat any food you want. They also mean a natural appearance and preserved jawbone health.

What Are They?

What is a Dental Implant?

Dental implants are small titanium posts that replace missing teeth within the jawbone. An implant isn’t just a cosmetic replacement for a missing tooth; it is a structural replacement for the missing root that prevents jawbone deterioration and keeps your face’s structure intact.

You will have a solid foundation for attaching an artificial tooth, as your jawbone bonds with the implant anchor. After the anchor is placed, a small post protrudes through your gum and attaches to the anchor, and a replacement tooth attaches to that post.

Single Tooth Dental Implants

When one tooth is missing, a single implant restored with a crown is often the most conservative option. It replaces the tooth without altering the healthy teeth on either side, as a traditional bridge would, and it keeps the bone in that area stimulated.

Full Arch and Full Mouth Dental Implants

If you are missing most or all of the teeth in an arch, a full-arch solution may suit you better than individual implants. Our Teeth in a Day and All-on-4® fixed implant bridge replaces a complete arch using as few as four implants, often with temporary teeth placed the same day as surgery.

SURGICAL PROCEDURE

The Dental Implant Placement Procedure

A standard implant placement involves two procedures.

Implant Placement

During the first procedure, a small titanium implant is precisely placed into the jawbone where the missing tooth once was. This implant serves as an artificial tooth root. Over the next several months, the implant bonds with the surrounding bone through a process called osseointegration, creating a strong, stable foundation. You will be advised to follow a soft-food diet for a short period to allow proper healing.

Final Restoration

Once the implant has fully integrated with the jawbone, the final phase of treatment begins. A second, minor procedure may gently uncover the implant and place a small connector post called an abutment. After the gums heal around the abutment, your dentist will fabricate a custom crown to attach securely to the dental implant. This crown is carefully designed to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth in shape, size, and color, restoring both function and aesthetics. The entire process typically takes several months, and most patients can continue their normal daily activities with minimal interruption.

SURGICAL ADVANCES

Advances in Surgical Treatment

With recent progress in implant technology, Summit Oral Surgery & Implant Center offers single-stage implants that need no second uncovering procedure. While this option typically requires about six weeks of healing time before attaching your replacement tooth or teeth, sometimes an implant can be placed the same day as a tooth extraction.

Placing a dental implant involves collaboration between an oral surgeon and a restorative dentist. Our doctors carry out your tooth extraction, any necessary bone grafting, and the implant procedure. Your dentist will fabricate and place the artificial tooth, as well as any temporary replacement teeth.

Dental Implant Cost and Insurance

The cost of dental implant treatment depends on how many teeth you are replacing, the type of implant, and whether your plan includes extractions or grafting. We explain your treatment plan and pricing before treatment begins. You can also review our financing options and the insurance plans we accept.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUEsTIONS

What Dental Prosthetic Options are Available?
In the case of one missing tooth, a single prosthesis – also known as a crown – is used. In this instance, the artificial tooth is affixed to one implant. However, in the case of multiple missing teeth a partial prosthesis (or fixed bridge) may be used, requiring only two or three implants. For the replacement of a full set of teeth, the number of implants used to attach your fixed bridge will vary depending on different factors. You have two main options: a removable prosthesis (an overdenture using ball-in-socket attachments or a bar) or a fixed prosthesis which can only be removed or adjusted by your dentist.

At Summit Oral Surgery and Implant Center, we provide surgical procedures in our state-of-the-art in-house operating suite. For those who have unique medical requirements, such as certain anesthetic accommodations or extensive bone grafting, an inpatient hospital treatment may be necessary.

Why Choose Dental Implants?
No tooth replacement solution offers the same long-term results, restored functionality, and peace of mind as implants. Whether you’ve lived with missing teeth for years or have only recently lost them, it can be a challenging and painful experience.

Implants can restore your confidence and provide renewed oral health.

While dental implants are a modern development, their history traces back nearly four decades prior to the innovations of Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark. His revolutionary efforts laid the groundwork for countless people dealing with the embarrassment and daily difficulties of missing one or more teeth.

What are the Benefits of Implants Over Traditional Restoration Methods?
Both bridges and dentures have their limits. In the case of dental bridges, jawbone deterioration is still a risk and damage to the surrounding teeth may occur. Dentures and partials create inconveniences and embarrassments, as well cause discomfort for the wearer.
Who is a Candidate for Dental Implants?
An extensive oral examination, as well as review of your dental history, is necessary to determine candidacy for implants. If implants may not initially work for you, however, methods such as bone grafting may be able to create a strong foundation for implant procedures.
What Anesthesia Is Used In a Dental Implant Procedure?
Most implant procedures are done in-office with the use of local anesthesia, either with or without additional general anesthesia depending on the individual case.
How are Implants Cared For?
Implants last many years with proper care. As with natural teeth, good oral hygiene practices like brushing, flossing, and regular dentist appointments will ensure that your implants are in top shape.

Schedule a Dental Implant Consultation

To learn more about how dental implants can benefit you, contact us. You can also read about our wisdom teeth removal and the full range of oral surgery services we provide.

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