Do you have a missing tooth? Even “just one” lost tooth can have dramatic impacts on the aesthetics and health of your natural smile. At Premier Dentistry in downtown Chicago, Dr. Brand and Dr. Stein offer tooth replacement treatment options including single tooth dental implants.
A dental implant is an excellent alternative treatment for a traditional dental bridge when replacing a single lost tooth. Choosing a dental implant has key benefits for your dental and overall health that should be taken into consideration. These can include:
- Minimize bone loss in the jaw: when a tooth is lost, the root below the gum is also lost. Over time, this leads to changes in the structure of the jaw and bite due to reduced bone tissue where the root used to be.
- Protect neighboring healthy teeth: placing a dental implant does not require adjacent healthy teeth to be compromised. When placing a traditional dental bridge, adjacent teeth are often covered with a dental crown to strengthen them for supporting the appliance. To place a crown, a significant amount of healthy tooth structure is removed, and the stage is set for possible problems down the road.
- Normal biting force is restored: the implant provides a stable foundation that is similar to a natural tooth, enabling normal biting and chewing forces and the enjoyment of a varied diet.
- Confident speech: if you have been struggling with your speech after tooth loss, a dental implant will restore your ability to speak with confidence once again.
Single Dental Implant Process
Premier Dentistry in downtown Chicago offers the comprehensive procedures and treatments needed to restore lost teeth with predictable and lasting results. Placing a single tooth implant is a relatively straightforward process that begins with an initial consultation in our Chicago dentist office. At this appointment, we digitally scan your entire mouth and do an examination to evaluate your dental health condition. Dr. Brand or Dr. Stein will confirm your candidacy for the placement of a dental implant or recommend any pre-placement treatment to address other concerns.
A good dental implant candidate will have sufficient bone density to support the implant fixture, good oral health, and be healthy enough to undergo a minor surgical procedure. We may recommend building back up the bone through grafting if you are lacking enough jaw bone.
Once healthy enough, the next step is to surgically implant the fixture into your jaw bone. This procedure will take place from the comforts of our dentist office. Implanting one fixture into your jaw will take about one hour. We will place a temporary restoration while waiting for the implant to completely fuse with the surrounding bone. This typically takes three to six months. After that, we will secure a custom made dental crown that will blend in seamlessly with the rest of your natural teeth.