Single Tooth Replacement

At Patrick Toms DMD, we understand that your life is greatly affected when you are missing a tooth. To restore your smile’s beauty and functionality, we offer a 3-step process that will provide you with a fully functional and cosmetically pleasing artificial tooth. During this process, the natural tooth and its root will be replaced.
The 3-step process includes:

1. Placement of the implant
A dental implant resembling a screw or cylinder is placed into the jaw bone at the location of the missing tooth. In two-six months, this implant will replace the tooth’s root, integrate into the bone and provide a stable anchor for the artificial tooth. To disguise the dental implant during this integration period, our dentists can place a temporary tooth over the implant site.

2. Attachment of the abutment
After the two-six month waiting period, the implant is uncovered and a small metal post, called an abutment, is attached to the implant to serve as an extension for the artificial tooth. After the abutment is attached, the gums will need a few weeks to heal.

3. Placement of the crown
The actual replacement tooth is called a crown, and our dentists will customize this tooth so that it compliments your other teeth. Once created, the crown will be placed on the end of the abutment.

There are several advantages to a single tooth implant over a bridge.

A single-tooth implant does not put stress on the neighboring teeth.
The cleaning process is simpler with a single-tooth implant as compared to that of a bridge.
A single-tooth implant better preserves your bone because the implant replaces your tooth’s root and integrates with the bone. Bone deterioration may occur with a bridge, since a bridge does not replace a tooth’s roots and integrate with the bone.
Implants and crowns look and feel like a natural tooth and are long-lasting.

To learn more about our single tooth replacement options, please contact us today. We're happy to set up an individual consultation to determine the best solution for you.