Can a Dentist Replace Just One Tooth? Single Dental Implants from Santa Rosa Dentistry and Implant Center

If you have lost one tooth, it may not seem like a big problem, especially if it isn’t within the smile zone. Missing one tooth can start a chain of reactions in your mouth. A missing tooth immediately affects your eating, speaking, and teeth-cleaning ability. Over time, the remaining healthy teeth will start shifting into the empty space, messing up your bite alignment, which can bring in numerous health complications like uneven tooth wear and TMJ disorder. 

If you have a lost tooth, we advise you to talk to Dr. Wayne Sutton in Santa Rosa Dentistry and Implant Center, Santa Rosa, California, to replace your tooth with a single-tooth implant. Implant-based restorations are versatile to replace one, several, or all missing teeth. So, whatever your tooth loss situation, there is always a solution for everyone at our practice. 

How an implant replaces a lost tooth

Bridges and dentures are viable options to overcome tooth loss. However, dental implants are preferred if you want a permanent solution to tooth loss. Dental implants don’t just replace your crown — they also replace your tooth roots, offering a similar function and feel to your natural teeth.

This tooth replacement comprises three components: an implant, abutment, and crown. The implant is surgically anchored in your jawbone to replicate your natural tooth root. Above it, we attach an abutment that connects the implant to a crown.

What to Expect from Single Dental Implant Treatment

The journey starts with a consultation with Dr. Sutton. The objective is to evaluate your overall dental health and establish whether your jawbone is strong enough to support an implant. If you’re eligible for an implant, we use digital X-rays and 3D scans to plan your treatment. This involves establishing the ideal location to place an implant.

When all is set, it’s time for implant surgery. We carry out this outpatient procedure after administering local anesthesia to minimize discomfort. Once comfortable, we incise your gums and bone to surgically insert a titanium post. Finally, we suture the surgical site and give it four to six months to heal. During healing, your jawbone fuses with the implant to become one strong structure to support the final restoration. 

After healing and fusion, we uncover the implant and install an abutment. After about four weeks of healing, we restore your tooth with a natural-looking dental crown. Once your dental implant settles in place, no one will know it’s a tooth replacement. You, too, will forget it’s artificial because it functions and feels like your natural teeth. 

Benefits of dental implants

The many benefits of dental implants include the following:

Decided to close that unsightly gap in your mouth with a dental implant?

You couldn’t have made a better choice. Dental implants are near-perfect in tooth replacement. To get started, please call (707) 868-0677 to schedule a consultation at Santa Rosa Dentistry and Implant Center.