As Dentists, our primary goal is always to help our patients keep all of their teeth for a lifetime. It is not uncommon, however, that due to the cumulative effects of dental disease, one should lose a tooth. In fact, approximately 70% of adults in the U.S. are missing at least one tooth. Unfortunately, the loss of a tooth will many times lead to more tooth loss. This is because the rates of gum disease, decay, and tooth fracture increase in teeth adjacent to a missing tooth.
Traditional options for tooth replacement have been inadequate to mitigate the risk of further tooth loss. Removable partial dentures are often cumbersome and difficult to wear. In fact, about half of patients are able to chew better without their partial denture. Furthermore, partial dentures wreak havoc on the supporting teeth leading to greater plaque retention, tooth mobility, increased decay and increased gum disease.
When it comes to long-term health, a permanently cemented bridge is only marginally better. Only about 30% survive the first ten years, and only 50% the first fifteen. Decay and root canal problems are the most common causes of failure and many times will lead to the loss of one of the supporting teeth.
Over the past two decades, fortunately, we are seeing many people abandon both partial dentures and fixed bridges in favor of dental implants. A dental implant is a man-made root replacement for a missing tooth. An implant does not depend on support from the adjacent teeth and, therefore, helps to promote the long-term health of those teeth. A single tooth implant is a stand-alone solution to the missing tooth problem. Dental implants also boast the highest long-term success rates of all tooth replacement options.
In the majority of cases, the transition from a failing natural tooth to a dental implant takes about 6-8 months. When a tooth is unable to be saved, it is removed as gently as possible. This is to assure that there is no damage to the surrounding bone or gum tissue that will eventually support the implant. Many times graft material is placed in the tooth socket to help support the healing of the site and assure that there will be an adequate volume of bone remaining for successful implant placement. After 3-4 months, the bone and gum tissue have healed, and the root portion of the implant is placed. The root-form is a small cylinder made of titanium which is gently inserted through the gum tissue and into the underlying bone. This is done very gently, in such a way that there is typically minimal discomfort after the procedure. Sometimes, the implant can be placed at the same time as the removal of the tooth, shortening the total treatment time. After another 3-4 months of healing, a new crown can be affixed to the implant, thus completing the treatment. In the case of a front tooth, a temporary replacement is usually provided during healing to fill the space and preserve a natural appearance. The end result is a tooth replacement that feels, functions, and lasts like a natural tooth.