SINGLE TOOTH MISSING

Benefits of a single tooth implant and ceramic crown:
When both the tooth and root are damaged, the best permanent replacement is a dental implant in conjunction with a ceramic crown. This solution both looks and functions just like a natural tooth.

In this case, a so-called one-piece implant is used. This means that all components are installed as a single unit, resulting in immediately full functioning teeth, shorter treatment time and minimized pain.

• Immediately functioning teeth
• Excellent esthetic result
• Life long, stable solution

Treatment:
This procedure normally includes four office visits. You should expect to be able to work the day after having the implant installed.

COURSE OF TREATMENT

The course of treatment described here is one of several options available. Consult your dentist to find out what the best solution is for you, given your specific condition.

1: Before the procedure The dentist makes a first examination and takes one or more x-rays of the area to prepare for the procedure.	2: Placing the implant The implant is placed. At this time, a temporary crown is provided that allows you eat and function like normal almost immediately.  The implant will need a few months to integrate with the jawbone before the next step is taken.

3: Attaching the new crown The final step is to take an impression, fabricate a ceramic crown, carefully check the fit and match the color to the adjacent teeth, and lastly cement the ceramic crown to the implant.	4: End result You should expect the new tooth to fit and function just like a natural tooth. Brush and floss daily to maintain good oral health.

ALTERNATIVES TO AN ALL-CERAMIC CROWN ON IMPLANT

Tooth-supported fixed bridge

A traditional bridge involves grinding down adjacent teeth to support the bridge. It is a stable solution with good esthetics and function that is fairly easy to install. However, this alternative has two main disadvantages: continuous bone resorbtion in the edentulous area, and sacrificing healthy teeth on behalf of the bridge. This is a good treatment option if the adjacent teeth to the extraction site have large restorations and are in need of crowns.

Removable partial denture

This is not a permanent alternative to a lost tooth. It is unstable and loosely attached, which affects both function and comfort. A removable partial denture is made of plastic – a material that can't create the same esthetic result as a ceramic crown. The benefits are few but do exist: adjacent teeth aren't affected. It is easily and quickly installed and less expensive.

Resin-bonded bridge

This alternative has some clear advantages: it is quickly installed, functions well and, since it is made of ceramic, it gives a high esthetic result. Moreover, there is less tooth reduction of your natural teeth.  It may not be as secure as a fixed bridge or implant.