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Bob
Fifty year old Bob’s upper left lateral incisor (arrow) was infected and unable to be saved. Bob’s tooth was extracted and replaced in one appointment with an implant-retained crown.
What are your options for single tooth replacement?
Dental bridge for single teeth
In case of a bridge, the artificial tooth is fixed to the adjacent teeth with something called a crown. This procedure will need your dentist to drill a little into the adjacent teeth on either side of the gap. Putting in a bridge results in two or three teeth being stuck together.
A partial denture
A denture is a removable device that is made of acrylic. Full dentures replace all your teeth at once and partial dentures replace a limited number of teeth, depending on how many you need replaced. The disadvantage of dentures is that they can be uncomfortable to wear, and they can even move while speaking or eating, causing unnecessary embarrassment to the wearer.
Single dental implant
Single tooth implants avoid the disadvantages of the first two methods, making it a more popular choice among the single tooth replacement options.
For a single tooth implant, a titanium screw is fixed in the jaw bone to act as the ‘root’ of the artificial tooth. A replacement tooth is fixed on top of this. This procedure does not depend on the neighbouring teeth and so it doesn’t compromise the structural integrity of any other tooth. Much like a natural tooth, a single dental implant is quite self-sufficient. With this procedure, since the crown is firmly anchored to the implant, it will not move.
A step by step guide for a single tooth implant
1
Preparation
Once you consult with your dentist, he or she will take an x –ray to have a clearer picture of your existing teeth and jaw. If any tooth is still present, this may need to be removed before moving on to implanting the titanium screw.
2
Inserting the implant
The single tooth implant procedure is quite straightforward and generally short in duration. You will be given local anaesthetic so you won’t experience any pain during the procedure. In some cases, there may be some light post-operative swelling and discomfort.
3
Placing the crown
The next step is to place the artificial tooth on top. Depending on the case, it could be a temporary or permanent artificial tooth. This is also a simple procedure and you are unlikely to experience any discomfort. In some cases, this can be done at the time the implant is inserted, although some people may need a few weeks in between if there are bone grafts required.
4
A full set of teeth
Once the permanent crown is fitted in, you can use all your teeth as you normally would. The implant and replacement tooth will behave just as your natural teeth do. Don’t forget to continue with an effective dental hygiene routine to keep your implants and gums healthy.
Begin the process
It is important to get your implants from an experienced dentist and someone you can trust. At Dental Artistry, we have the country’s top dental surgeons available to you. Dr. Sheng Zhang and Dr. Mark Worthington are well regarded dental implants experts in both New Zealand and Australia.
All the procedures from the preliminary examination to the recovery stage can be completed right here at Dental Artistry.
There’s no hassle of driving from one centre to another for different treatments. Our world-class facilities mean you have the best of technology to ensure the process is as smooth and successful as possible.
If you need a single tooth replacement, call us on 09 524 4541. We can talk about what’s involved, and if a dental implant is the best option for you. Let’s get started towards a beautiful, gap-free smile.
FAQs
See the Results
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Dawn
Forty-six year old Dawn was missing two upper teeth. She had worn a partial denture for many years. Dawn’s teeth were whitened and her missing teeth were replaced with two implant-retained crowns.
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Lesley
Fourty-five year old Lesley was missing her upper left lateral incisor. She was also unhappy with the shape of her other incisor teeth. Lesleys teeth were enhanced via the provision of one implant – retained crown and three additional porcelain crowns.
Click and slide arrow above to reveal before and after
Andrew
A rugby accident led to the loss of thirty-five year old Andrew’s upper left central incisor. Andrew’s missing tooth was replaced with a single implant-retained crown