Sure, losing a tooth whether through injury, extraction, or neglect, never feels great but is it really worth making the effort to restore your smile? Our Greater Orlando, FL, dental implant dentists would argue it is in your best interest which is why we offer single-tooth replacement.

Single-tooth replacement involves placing a dental implant where the small gap in your smile exists.

Here’s what you need to know about replacing a tooth with a dental implant.

Reasons for Getting a Single-Tooth Implant

Tooth loss can be caused by a variety of factors, some more preventable than others. Regardless, seeking treatment is a big step and will only stand to benefit your smile in the long run. Getting started will involve our dentists conducting an oral exam and possibly even taking X-rays to see if there are any issues hidden beneath the surface.

From there, we can assess the current bone density of your jaw to confirm the viability of a dental implant. If there is evidence of jawbone deterioration, don’t worry. We can discuss the possibility of a bone graft prior to implant placement. This will serve to build up the area in your jaw that needs support.

All in all, single-tooth implants are ideal for tooth loss caused by:

  • Decay/cavities
  • A fractured tooth root
  • Excessive teeth grinding (bruxism)
  • Widespread gum disease
  • An injury to the face
  • Genetics (born without certain teeth)

Why Replacing a Tooth Is Important

When there is a space in your smile, it can affect more than you think. For example, neighboring teeth on either side of the gap will start to shift inwards if not stopped. This can result in crowding and in turn, increase the chance that plaque builds up where teeth have overlapped or become too close to one another.

A missing tooth can also lead to bone loss in the jaw due to lack of natural stimulation. Usually, that’s made possible by a tooth root but when one isn’t there, the jawbone doesn’t receive what it needs to remain healthy in that area. A partial denture or bridge can close the open space, but unlike a single-tooth implant, will only rest on top of the gums and can be overkill when just one tooth is gone.

Speak With Our Implant Dentists

Filling in a gap left by an extracted or lost tooth might not seem like a huge deal but it is necessary if you don’t want to run into negative consequences down the road. Our dental implant dentists serving Greater Orlando, FL, understand that the process of replacement seems daunting but we are here to be your guides. Call Classic Smiles today at (407) 293-3002 to request an appointment.