Do you have a knocked-out tooth? Did you lose a tooth? You can get a single dental implant in our Rogers, AR, dental office.
A single dental implant is a strong and natural-looking solution for replacing a missing tooth. The implant acts like an artificial tooth root, securely holding a custom-made crown in place. This restores your smile, improves your ability to chew, and helps prevent future dental problems.
Why Do You Need to Replace Missing Teeth?
Are you missing a single tooth? Don’t you not think it’s a big deal? It is a big deal.
Millions of people are walking around with missing teeth. Approximately 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, according to the American College of Prosthodontists. Surprisingly, a single missing tooth can harm your oral health. When a tooth is lost, the surrounding teeth will begin to shift to the open space.
This can lead to many dental problems such as bite misalignment and make it difficult to properly care for that area. A missing tooth can lead to bone loss without the tooth’s root stimulating the jaw bone. Also, people with even just one missing tooth are more susceptible to gum disease, TMJ disorders, and tooth decay.
Aside from oral health issues, a missing tooth can lead to psychological and social issues. Because of the stigma associated with missing teeth, a missing tooth can lead to low self-esteem due to embarrassment if the tooth is visible while smiling. It can be unsightly and will make people not want to smile anymore. This can affect their ability to get a job and have normal social interactions.
The Benefits of Single Tooth Implants
A single tooth implant is one of the best ways to replace a missing tooth. Some of the key benefits include:
- Natural Appearance: A dental implant is custom-made to match the color, shape, and size of your other teeth, so it blends in perfectly with your smile.
- Strong and Long-Lasting: Implants are made of durable materials, like titanium and porcelain.
- Protects Jawbone Health: An implant replaces the missing tooth root and helps keep your jawbone strong and healthy.
- No Damage to Other Teeth: Unlike a dental bridge, an implant doesn’t require shaving down the nearby teeth.
- Improves Chewing and Speaking: Because an implant is securely placed in your jaw, it won’t slip or move when you eat or talk.
- Easy to Care For: You can brush, floss, and visit your dentist for regular checkups—just like you would with a natural tooth.
Options for Replacing Your Missing Tooth
Heather Adams Dentistry can help you replace your tooth by offering a few options. Traditionally, a damaged or missing tooth was replaced with a dental bridge. However, your experienced dentist in Rogers AR, Dr. Heather Adams will recommend an implant-supported dental crown.
She prefers this method because dental implants offer predictable, long-term solutions. With a success rate of 98%, a single dental implant in our Rogers, AR, office is the best option to support your overall dental health. When comparing these options, you must consider the long-term benefits and your quality of life.
Dental Implant-Supported Crown
An implant is designed to replace the tooth root which will preserve the bone better consequently preventing bone loss. Unlike a dental bridge, the implant will only replace a single tooth and does not require degrading the neighboring teeth. A dental crown that is anchored to a dental implant is easier to care for, requiring the same regular care as your natural teeth.
A dental implant is a cylinder titanium post that we surgically implant into the jaw bone. After the surgery, you will need about three to six months to allow the implant to fuse with the surrounding bone. Then, we place small piece called an abutment onto the implant. After about two weeks, we will permanently place your dental crown.
Dental Bridge
A bridge consists of two anchor crowns with the replacement tooth (the pontic) in the middle. All parts are fused. The two crowns are cemented to two anchor teeth located on each side of the missing tooth. This is designed to “bridge” the gap created by a missing tooth.
With a traditional dental bridge, the anchor teeth will need to be shaved down to make room for the dental crowns. You are essentially damaging two perfectly healthy teeth to have a single tooth replaced. A dental bridge is very affordable though and can be placed in about three weeks.
How Long Does a Dental Implant Last?
A dental implant is a long-lasting solution for missing teeth. The implant post itself will last a lifetime with proper care. This is because it fuses with your bone, creating a strong and stable foundation for your replacement tooth.
However, you may need to replace the visible part of the implant, called the dental restoration, over time. On average, these restorations last about 10 to 15 years. Proper oral hygiene, regular dental checkups, and avoiding habits like teeth grinding can help extend the life of your restoration.
How Much is a Single Dental Implant?
The total cost of a single dental implant depends on pretreatments and where you get your implant. For example, if you have bone loss in your jaw, you may need a bone graft to strengthen the area before the implant can be placed. If you have a damaged or decayed tooth that needs to be removed first, that will also add to the overall cost.
Unlike other tooth replacement options, implants can last a lifetime with proper care. They offer a cost-effective choice in the long run. If you’re considering a dental implant, schedule a consultation to get a personalized estimate based on your needs.
Replace A Lost Tooth
Get a single dental implant in Rogers, AR. Call Heather Adams today at (479) 323-3011. You can also request an appointment with us online.
Let us know if you have questions about treatment. We’re here to help you.