General Dentistry |9 min read

Single-Tooth Dental Implants: Restoring Your Smile Naturally

by ProGrin Dental

smiling patient with dental implants

Table of Contents

Key Points

  • Tooth decay and tooth loss impact a large portion of the U.S. population.
  • Dental implants are one of the most effective ways to address tooth loss.
  • While there are often alternatives to single-tooth dental implants, there are innate advantages to consider, including durability, function, and longevity.
  • Single-tooth dental implants aren’t right for everyone, but understanding all the pros and cons can help patients make a more informed decision.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about half of all American adults have lost at least one tooth. That incidence becomes much greater for individuals over 65, with about 1 in 6 having edentulism, or no teeth at all.1

When a tooth is lost or damaged from injury or disease, it can trigger additional complications, including rapid bone loss, changes in chewing patterns, defective speech, and discomfort. Likewise, when teeth become damaged or neglected, medical interventions are required. Performing tooth replacement as quickly as possible can stave off these threats and significantly improve the patient’s quality of life and dental health, and can be a better alternative to other restoration methods, like bridges and veneers.

This article lays out the basics of single-tooth dental implants and the many benefits they can offer, including relative to alternative treatments. It also covers information on the potential costs of implants and advice for finding a qualified dentist to perform the procedure. Keep reading to determine if implants are the right choice for your dental health needs and goals.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial structures that replace missing teeth. They consist of a small, biocompatible metal post made of a strong metal, such as titanium or zirconium oxide.2 These are surgically inserted into the jawbone at the location of the missing tooth and function as the tooth’s root.

The post supports an abutment that anchors a custom-made crown, which is usually made of porcelain, zirconia, or a metal, like gold or titanium. Some temporary crowns are made of composite resin, which is a less expensive yet less durable option.

There are two main types of dental implants: endosteal and subperiosteal. Endosteal implants are the most common. They are embedded in the jawbone and can support several artificial crowns.

Subperiosteal implants—which are under the gumline but sit on top of the jaw—are less common and are reserved for circumstances where the patient has inadequate bone height to support endosteal implants. When most people speak of “dental implants,” they are usually talking about endosteal ones.

Regardless of the type, dental implants look and function like real teeth. They can restore the ability to chew and the cosmetic appearance of the patient’s teeth.

What Does the Dental Implant Implementation Process Entail?

There are several basic steps to the dental implant restoration process. These include:

  • Consultation
  • Treatment plan formulation
  • Implant post placement
  • Abutment placement
  • Crown attachment

Before the process of putting in dental implants can begin, the patient will have a consultation with a dental professional. The dentist or dental surgeon will speak to the patient about their dental health goals and assess their overall health and lifestyle. Assessments usually involve X-rays and a thorough examination of the missing or damaged tooth, surrounding tissue, and jawbone. The dentist will then use this information to put together a treatment plan.

Graphic of a single tooth implantIn most dental implant procedures, local anesthesia is sufficient to numb the implant site. In situations where the patient experiences extreme anxiety, sedation may be used. General anesthesia is reserved for cases where there are multiple implants or where bone grafting is necessary.

For implant placement, the dentist will make small incisions in the gums and place the titanium implants into the jawbone. Through the process of osseointegration, the posts become fused with the bone.3 This can take several months.

This step is the most invasive aspect of the process. Once the post is stabilized, the patient will return for the placement of a small connector piece, called an abutment, on the top of the implanted post. Next, the dentist will use the impression of the patient’s teeth and jaw to create a custom-made crown, which they attach to the abutment.

Following this step, the dentist may request the patient to return for regular checkups and cleanings of the implant. This will help ensure the health and longevity of the finished product.

What Are the Advantages of Single-Tooth Dental Implants?

Many people overlook single-tooth dental implants due to other options being available (see “Alternatives to Dental Implants” section below)—as opposed to situations where a patient is missing many teeth and implants are the only viable option.

Despite available alternatives, dental implants have many benefits to consider. They can:

  • Greatly improve chewing ability and speech
  • Restore appearance
  • Preserve surrounding gums and jawbone
  • Stabilize and protect adjacent teeth.

First, dental implants are extremely durable. With proper care, they will last much longer than other tooth-restoration treatments. This also translates to fewer procedures (and office visits in general) in the foreseeable future.

One of the biggest advantages of dental implants is that—more than any other restorative procedure—they closely mimic the look and function of natural teeth. They give patients a more natural smile and allow them to chew like their original teeth. They are also more likely to be comfortable and less likely to inhibit speech.

Dental implants also help protect from further damage. This includes to the surrounding teeth, gums, and bones. Specifically, they prevent deterioration of the jawbone, which can be vital for people with missing or damaged teeth.4

Are There Any Downsides to Dental Implants?

While the pros far outweigh the cons, there are a few minor drawbacks to dental implants that patients should consider. First, dental implants demand a more complex and invasive surgical procedure than other restorative methods. They also may require the use of anesthesia.

The procedure itself carries some risks, including the potential for damage to surrounding teeth, bones, gums, and tissue. However, a knowledgeable, experienced dentist can all but eliminate such hazards.

Next, dental implants require a longer healing and recovery time. While the results are more permanent than other restorative options, this is a factor that patients should take into account before proceeding.

Since the process involves drilling into gums and bone, dental implants can carry a greater risk of infection. Smoking can exacerbate this threat and stifle the healing process. Fortunately, proper hygiene, cleaning and otherwise following the dentist’s post-surgery instructions can greatly minimize such threats. Also, following the procedure, some patients experience minor nerve impingement,5 but this subsides after a short time.

Another limitation is that dental implants are not always suitable for people with inadequate bone density. In some cases, bone grafts can improve bone quality, making it appropriate for implantation.

Implants do require meticulous dental care to maintain their longevity. This entails regular hygiene, including brushing, flossing, using mouthwash, and scheduling routine dental checkups, which are all something everyone should be doing anyway to maintain good oral health.

When it comes to implants though, regular upkeep does greatly help avoid serious conditions like peri-implantitis, which causes inflammation and bone loss resulting from bacterial infections. In severe cases, peri-implantitis can lead to implant failure.6

Alternatives to Dental Implants

When it comes to single-tooth dental implants, there are several popular alternatives. They offer unique advantages and some drawbacks to consider.

A dental bridge is one. These consist of a prosthetic tooth, also known as a “pontic,” that is fused between two crowns. They are placed on the adjacent teeth and support the pontic.

One advantage of bridges is that they can be much more affordable than dental implants. They are also less invasive, and recovery time is minimal.

A drawback of bridges is that they require a significant reduction of the adjacent teeth to accommodate the crowns. This weakens them and is irreversible. The bridge also adds stress to the supporting teeth.

In some circumstances, dental veneers may be an alternative. These are custom-made resin or porcelain shells that bond to and cover the front surface of existing teeth.

Like bridges, however, they do not provide the same level of function and longevity as dental implants. Neither do they support adjacent teeth, gums, or jawbone, like implants.

How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?

The cost of dental implants can vary. A single implant typically runs between $3,000 and $6,000. This range is greatly impacted by various factors, including location and the complexity of the required treatment.

In most instances, insurance will cover at least a portion of dental implants. This will depend largely on the type of plan a patient has. However, in most cases, implants are deemed a “medical necessity” (as opposed to being merely “cosmetic”), which can help in gaining coverage.

If your health insurance does not cover all or any of the cost for dental implants, there may be alternatives to 100 percent out-of-pocket payment. Ask your dental office about in-house financing options.

Find Dental Implants Near You

Now that you understand how single-tooth dental implants work and the advantages they can afford, you can make a more informed decision. They can provide permanent, long-lasting results that improve appearance and function, and help eliminate further threats to dental health. An implant expert can further advise you on whether a permanent missing-tooth replacement is right for you.

At ProGrin Dental, we provide the highest quality of care to our patients. We offer a range of services, including single- and multi-tooth dental implants. Reach out to us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss options for restoring your smile naturally.

References

  1. Parker, Marcia L., Gina Thornton-Evans, Liang Wei, Susan O. Griffin, PhD, “Prevalence of and Changes in Tooth Loss Among Adults Aged ≥50 Years with Selected Chronic Conditions — United States, 1999–2004 and 2011–2016,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6921a1.htm.
  2. Lars Crawford, Meghan Wyatt, James Bryers, and Buddy Ratner, “Biocompatibility Evolves: Phenomenology to Toxicology to Regeneration,” Advanced Healthcare Materials, April 2021, from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8221530/.
  3. Nike Walter, Theresia Stich, Denitsa Docheva, Volker Alt, and Markus Rupp, “Evolution of Implants and Advancements for Osseointegration: A Narrative Review,” International Journal of the Care of the Injured, November 2022, from: https://www.injuryjournal.com/article/S0020-1383(22)00532-0/fulltext.
  4. Jason T. Wan, Douglas M. Sheeley, Martha J. Somerman, and Janice S. Lee, “Mitigating Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) Through Preventive Dental Care and Understanding of Risk Factors,” Bone Research, Article number: 14 (2020), from: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41413-020-0088-1.
  5. “Pinced Nerve,” Mayo Clinic, from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pinched-nerve/symptoms-causes/syc-20354746.
  6. Frank Schwarz, Jan Derks, Alberto Monje, and Hom-Lay Wang, “Peri-Implantitis,” Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 2017, from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcpe.12954.
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