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How Dental Implants Can Replace a Single Tooth

A missing tooth can cause more problems than you think. They can be especially problematic if they’re in a prominent spot in your smile. Thankfully the team at Harmony Dental Care in Jackson has plenty of options for treating tooth loss.

For years a dental bridge was a common solution for a single missing tooth. Today, however, more people are turning to crowns supported by dental implants. Let’s consider why an implant-supported dental crown is a great option for treating tooth loss.

The Problems Related to Tooth Loss

First of all, a missing tooth can cause cosmetic problems as well as dental health problems.

In terms of dental health, a missing tooth can cause gum recession and bone loss in the gap where the tooth is missing. This is because there is no root structure in place for your teeth to support. In addition, your teeth adjacent to the gap may shift out of place.

As far as the aesthetics of your smile, a major gap can lead you to feel self-conscious about laughing, smiling, or speaking, even around people you have known for years. It can also impact your professional life if your job involves public speaking and interactions.

About Dental Implants

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically embedded into the jawbone and gum tissue. These implants essentially serve the same function as tooth roots, and can be used to hold various kinds of dental appliances in place. This includes full dentures, partial dentures, bridges, and individual crowns.

Ideal Candidates for Dental Implants

Ideal candidates for dental implants are people who have strong bone density and gum density remaining along the area of the tooth gap. They should be in generally good health and not suffer from any conditions that would make an oral surgery procedure a health risk.

If a person does not have enough healthy jawbone or gum tissue in place, they may be able to undergo a grafting procedure. Keep in mind that this will add a few months to the overall treatment process.

The Benefits of Dental Implants

The primary benefits of dental implants are as follows:

  • Greater stability than denture creams
  • Low likelihood of a crown of restoration coming loose
  • More comfortable than a removable appliance
  • Natural appearance when appliance/restoration is in place
  • Prevents bone loss and gum recession
  • Implant-Supported Dental Crowns
  • Once the dental implant is placed via oral surgery, it is given time to heal. A process known as osseointegration must occur. This means that the implant has fully fused with the bone to ensure security and stability.

The crown itself will be carefully crafted at a dental lab. Your dental records, impressions of your teeth, and computer models will be used to create a crown that looks natural and fits perfectly in place.

The Results of Single-Tooth Replacement

With an implant-supported dental crown in place, you’ll be able to bite, chew, speak, smile, and laugh just like you did before. No one will notice that you have a dental crown in place thanks to the care and craft of the dental lab.

Contact Harmony Dental Care

For more information about your dental treatment options and how we can help you have a healthy and beautiful smile, be sure to contact our team of dental health experts today. The team at Harmony Dental Care is here to help you achieve better dental health.