Despite our best efforts to look after our teeth, almost all of us will either lose a tooth or require an extraction by the time we reach our golden years. Unfortunately, many people underestimate the effects of tooth loss, thinking only about the impact it will have on the appearance of their smile.

Granted, the psychological fallout of missing teeth can be significant – it can cause your confidence to take a nose dive, and you may find yourself doing anything you can to avoid drawing attention to your mouth – but it can also affect the function of your mouth. Depending on where the missing tooth is, you may struggle to bite, chew or even speak as you once did.
 

Treatment Options for a Single Missing Tooth

If you are missing just a single tooth, you may be confused about what treatment options are available to you. After all, dentures, which are the most well-known tooth replacement option, are for patients with a number of gaps in their smile. Dental bridges can fill the space left by your missing tooth with a prosthetic, but they aren’t suitable for everyone. They also don’t have the longest lifespan and can compromise the health and tenacity of your existing teeth.
 

It is for these reasons, amongst others, why an increasing number of patients are turning to single-tooth dental implants to restore the function and appearance of their smile.

What are Single-tooth Dental Implants

As their name suggests, single-tooth dental implants use the latest implant technology to provide a solution for individual missing teeth. Dental implants contain two main components that are attached to one another using a special connector. These components are:

1.     A prosthetic tooth made from porcelain that is color-matched to your natural smile.

2.     A titanium implant post. This is inserted through the gums and into the jaw bone. The bone then heals around the implant, creating an ultra-secure foundation for the prosthetic.

Every dental implant is custom-designed specifically to the shape, size and color necessary to create a prosthetic that both looks and feels completely natural.
 

Benefits of Single-tooth Dental Implants

The number of patients choosing single-tooth dental implants is growing year on year. This is largely because of the unique advantages that the solution offers its patients.
 

·         Secure

Dental implants are so secure in your gum that they will not shift or come loose when you use your mouth. You can eat, drink, speak, smile and even sneeze without needing to worry about your tooth coming loose.
 

·         Food Flexibility

Speaking of eating, with dental implants there are no compromises about which foods you can eat. You can tuck into foods that are chewy and even sticky without needing to worry about your implant pulling out, giving you greater flexibility and enjoyment at mealtimes.
 

·         Comfortable

Dental implants are designed to fit perfectly in the gap in your smile. Once in place, an implant is so comfortable that we guarantee you will soon forget that it is not your natural tooth.
 

·         Speech Restoration

Depending on where the gap in your teeth is, your usual manner of speaking may be affected. This is because our tongue needs to push against our teeth to make certain sounds. By filling the gap with a single-tooth implant, you can pronounce words naturally again.
 

·         Improved Appearance and Self-esteem

Dental implants are designed with aesthetics in mind and are so natural and discreet that no-one need ever know that you it is not your original tooth. Feeling happier about your appearance will also lead to increased confidence and improved self-esteem.
 

·         A Sound Investment

Dental implants are the most durable and long-lasting of any dental restoration, and with proper care and attention both at home and by our dentist, a single-tooth implant could last 25 years or more.


For inquiries, contact us and schedule an appointment with our dentist.