Single Tooth Implants
A dental implant is basically an artificial tooth root (typically made from titanium) that is anchored in place of a missing tooth. Unlike implants, bridges do not replace a tooth root. Rather,a bridge uses one or more surrounding teeth as a support on which to attach a crown that can fill the missing tooth space.
Which is better tooth implant or bridge?
Pros. Unlike dental implants, bridges don’t require surgery, making bridges a lot less painful. All it takes is a simple dental procedure to get your teeth fixed. It’s much quicker and easier to get dental bridges (only a few weeks at the most), whereas implants may take several months.
Placing Your Implant
The process for placing a single tooth implant involves surgery. Before undergoing surgery, an initial consultation is needed to determine your candidacy. We closely examine your mouth, checking for signs of cavities and periodontal disease. X-rays allow us to examine your bone to determine if you will need a bone graft before your implant is placed. We also go over your medical history and lifestyle habits.
The surgery begins with a small incision in your gum tissue, which provides us with access to your jawbone. Next, a hole is drilled into your bone, and the implant post is placed inside. Your gums are sutured closed, and a temporary tooth is placed on the post.
The recovery from Dental Implant surgery can take up to several weeks. As you heal, your bone gradually fuses to the post, integrating into your jaw. We closely monitor your progress to ensure the bone is fusing properly and that there are no complications. After you have fully healed from implant surgery, we remove the temporary tooth and place the abutment or connector. We then take an impression of your mouth, which is used to design and fabricate your final replacement tooth. Once that tooth is ready, it is secured into place on the implant posts with a small screw.