Losing even a single tooth can be very upsetting, and most people will want to replace it as soon as possible. The quickest methods of replacing a lost tooth are to either have a partial one tooth denture, or to have a bridge fitted. Both these methods are quite cost-effective, but aren’t necessarily the best way to replace a lost tooth. A lot of people find a partial denture awkward to wear, and hate the thought of having to remove it every night. In comparison a dental bridge that is permanently cemented into place might seem to be the better option. However the major disadvantage of this choice is that it does affect the adjacent teethas at least one and probably two teeth will need to be modified to make room for the bridge. Neither of these methods does anything to help maintain the jawbone which will gradually reabsorb following the extraction of the tooth at Leeds City Dentalcare.

In comparison choosing a dental implant to replace a single missing tooth won’t negatively impact any of the remaining teeth in the mouth. Having a dental implant will help keep these teeth in the correct position, and just as importantly will help maintain the bone in that area. A single dental implant can look exactly like a natural tooth provided the implant surgery is properly planned by an experienced dentist in Leeds such as Dr David Brown or another of our dentists at our Leeds surgery. The correctly placed implant will make it appear as if the tooth is emerging naturally from the gum as it will have exactly the right profile. It is by far the most aesthetically pleasing way of replacing the tooth, and if cared for properly should last a very long time.

The Process for Having a Single Dental Implant

The only downside of this treatment is that it can take a little longer to complete than having a partial denture or a bridge fitted. You’ll need to have dental x-rays and a CT scan so the implant surgery can be correctly planned. The actual implant surgery only takes a very short while to complete, especially just for a single implant. Many people find local anaesthetic is adequate to get them through this process, but if you’re particularly nervous you may want to ask about a little extra sedation.

The exact placement of your implant will already have been decided prior to the surgery, so it’s simply a matter of having a small incision made into your gum so the titanium post can be inserted into the jawbone. Afterwards the gum will be stitched back in place and you’ll almost certainly be given a temporary restoration to wear while the implant site heals. You’ll also be given lots of advice on how to look after the implant site, and how to deal with any discomfort. The discomfort for having a single implant should be relatively minor, and you should be able to expect to return to work the next day.

The implant site does need to be left to heal for several months so new bone cells can form on and around the specially treated titanium post. Afterwards you can return to Leeds City Dentalcare to have your implant crown fitted. This is a straightforward procedure and simply involves the dentist attaching an abutment to the titanium post. This protrudes above the gum line and supports the crown. An impression is taken of your implant and sent to our dental laboratory for the crown to be fabricated. The crown can be made out of all ceramic materials or it can be ceramic fused to a metal alloy base. If you want the very best aesthetic results then it’s worth choosing an all-ceramic crown.

The process for having a single dental implant may take a little longer to complete, but it’s by far the best option for oral health and for aesthetics.