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Replacing a Single Tooth

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Dental Implants

Replacing a Single Tooth with an Implant

Whether caused by dental decay or dental trauma, missing even one tooth can seriously compromise the overall look and function of your smile. While traditional restorations like crowns or bridges may provide some aesthetic and functional benefits, long-term use often requires frequent replacement and may also damage neighboring healthy teeth.

For patients missing a tooth, Baton Rouge prosthodontist Dr. Richard Appleton offers single dental implants. With this innovative treatment option, patients regain full confidence in the look and feel of their smile while encouraging the long-term health of their dentition.

Why Choose a Dental Implant?

Dental implants are uniquely designed to functionally and aesthetically match natural teeth. When placed, they interact with the jaw bone and neighboring teeth much like a natural tooth, preserving and even improving the strength of the jaw. As dental implants are independently supported, they do not require neighboring teeth be altered prior to treatment, allowing healthy teeth to remain intact. In the long-run, single dental implants are a wise investment into the health of your smile.

In cases where both the tooth and root are damaged, Dr. Appleton often recommends a one-piece dental implant be used. Not only does this solution look and function just like a natural tooth, one-piece implants are installed as a single unit, resulting in immediately full functioning teeth, shorter treatment time and minimized pain. Other benefits include:

Immediately functioning teeth
Excellent esthetic result
Life-long, stable solution

How Long is the Dental Implant Treatment Process?

Placing a dental implant normally includes four visits to our Baton Rouge dentist. You should expect to be able to work the day after having the implant installed.

What to Expect During Single Implant Placement

Installing the new tooth - Step-by-Step

The course of treatment described here is one of several options available. During your implant consultation with our Baton Rouge prosthodontist, we'll discuss all your options to determine the best solution is for you, given your specific condition.

Before the procedure
The dentist makes a first examination and takes one or more x-rays of the area to prepare for the procedure.
Installing the implant
The implant is installed. At this time, a temporary tooth is provided that allows you eat and function like normal almost immediately. The implant will need a few months to integrate with the jawbone before the next step is taken.
Attaching the new crown
The final step is the placement of the permanent ceramic tooth. The new tooth is installed for life. No additional treatment is needed.
End result
You should expect the new tooth to fit and function just like a natural tooth. Do your usual dental hygiene to keep the tooth and gum around it clean and healthy.

Alternatives To An All-Ceramic Crown On Implant

Not all patients may benefit from dental implants. For patients with insufficient bone structure, these traditional tooth replacement options may be a more suitable treatment.

Tooth-supported fixed bridge
A traditional bridge involves grinding down adjacent teeth to support the bridge. It is a stable solution with good esthetics and function that is fairly easy to install. However, this alternative has two main disadvantages: continuous bone resorbtion in the edentulous area, and sacrificing healthy teeth on behalf of the bridge.

Removable partial denture
This is not a permanent alternative to a lost tooth. It is unstable and loosely attached, which affects both function and comfort. A removable partial denture is made of plastic – a material that can't create the same esthetic result as a ceramic crown. The benefits are few but do exist: adjacent teeth aren't affected. It is easily and quickly installed and relatively inexpensive.

Resin-bonded bridge
This alternative has some clear advantages: it is quickly installed, functions well and, since it is made of ceramic, it gives a high esthetic result. Moreover, natural healthy teeth aren't affected. But it is not very permanent. The resin-bonded bridge will eventually come off – probably after just a couple of years – and will then have to be reinstalled.

Schedule an Appointment Today!

There's no time like the present to schedule an exam and consultation with Dr. Appleton and find out how why we're different and how we can improve your quality of life in a very short time!