Single Tooth Dental Implant in Medfield
What Is Single Tooth Replacement?
Teeth can be lost for a number of reasons, including cavities, periodontal disease or trauma. Did you know that by age 17, more than 7.3 percent of U.S. children have lost one permanent tooth; and by age 50, Americans have lost an average of 12 teeth?¹
If you are missing one tooth in a given area of your mouth, your dentist may recommend that you consider one dental implant to replace the root of the missing tooth and an implant crown to rebuild your tooth in a beautiful and natural looking manner. Compared to other treatment options to replace missing teeth, such as bridges and removable partials, an implant with an implant crown offers a long-lasting solution for a missing tooth and requires fewer follow-up office visits.
When teeth are lost, the surrounding bone begins to shrink, progressively reducing the amount of support for full or partial dentures. Some important facts for you to consider:
1. Wearing dentures actually accelerates bone loss. Full and partial dentures become looser over time as the underlying support melts away. Loose dentures increase embarrassment and make it difficult to enjoy a meal. In most instances, dentures need to be relined (refitted) every 3 to 5 years.
2. People with natural teeth or implants bite with about 200 pounds of force. Denture wearers bite with about 50 pounds of force, and those who have worn dentures for 15 or more years bite with only about 6 pounds of force. Diet and eating habits have to be modified accordingly.
3. The average denture wearer has to modify his/her diet with a resultant reduced nutritional intake. Thirty percent of denture wearers eat only soft foods. As a result, the life expectancy of a full denture wearer may be reduced by 7 to 10 years.
4. Implant supported bridges and dentures have a 95% success rate over a 10 year period and actually preserve the bony support of the jaw.
Single missing teeth can be replaced by bridges or single-tooth implants. When a bridge is placed, the adjacent teeth must be crowned and then act to support the additional tooth. When an implant is placed, there is no need to compromise the adjacent teeth and the resultant replacement better approximates the feel and function of a natural tooth. Single tooth implants have a better than 98% success rate.
A conservative consideration for the denture patient: Mini implants a smaller version of the conventional implant) can be placed to help stabilize a loose lower denture. Denture stability is significantly improved, chewing is better as is comfort, and the embarrassment of a floating or moving lower denture is eliminated.
Contact our Medfield dental office if you have any questions or would like to set an appointment.
