Single Tooth Implant in Skokie, IL

Dr. Mansi Raina

How is a single tooth implant different than other options?

A single tooth implant is indicated when you take out a tooth, and we need to replace that space. There are options where, if you have enough teeth around the missing space, you can do something called a dental bridge, or you could sometimes leave it open, which is not advised for multiple reasons, which I'll get into later. Or you can replace it with a single tooth implant. What that is that where the tooth is missing, we can place something that takes the place of what the root is in your natural mouth. Then, after the healing period passes, we place a crown on it so that you can chew on the tooth.

What is the full process from consultation to placement of dental implants?

Let me talk to you a little bit about the full process from consultation to placement. You'll first come to our office if you're in need of a single tooth implant or you see that you may need one. When you come in, we'll take the necessary dental X-rays to plan out the process for you. After that, you come in during that first actual visit where the implant is done. We place the implant, and typically we're waiting about 3 months or so after it's healed nicely. We check that everything's good to go with that implant, and then we place the crown 3 to 4 months later on top of that implant.

What does a typical tooth implant procedure involve?

A tooth implant procedure typically involves the initial visit, which is more like gathering all the records and planning out the whole procedure so that, on the day of the procedure, it's a smooth ride. You'll come in, and we'll take dental X-rays and do a consultation, make sure we take a good medical history, and make sure that you're a good candidate to receive the implant.

After that, you come in the day of the actual implant placement. It's about an hour appointment, pretty uneventful. Most patients are always saying they're surprised by how uneventful everything is, from the placement of the implant to the healing. After that, we bring you back in about a month to just make sure your gums are healing well around the implant. Then three to four months later, we check that the implant has taken, and then we go ahead and put the crown on.

What is bone grafting and when is it necessary, especially around an implant?

Initially, if you have a tooth that's failing and your dentist is taking out that tooth, they're going to recommend that you get a bone graft done at that time. The bone graft essentially helps preserve the space for the future implant. It's really going to help make sure that your bone grows back nice and thick so that you can use a nice stable implant for the long term.

In terms of bone grafting at the time of implant placement, oftentimes as we're placing the implant, if we see there's some spacing that needs to be filled in where your own bone isn't supporting it, we use that grafting material. Typically, those decisions can be made during the procedure. Sometimes we can forecast them based on the things we see on the X-rays.

If I don't do a dental implant, what are my other options?

The other options for dental implants are a dental bridge or a partial denture. Now, a dental bridge, if you're familiar with what a crown is, is essentially a bunch of dental crowns connected together. The area where your tooth is missing is kind of where the crown is floating but connected to the adjacent teeth. In certain scenarios, that may be the only option if the body or the bone there cannot support an implant, but typically that really compromises the teeth around the space that's already missing. In the future, if something were to happen to one of those adjacent teeth, you may end up losing more teeth in that process. So when possible, I do like to avoid placing bridges and really use them as my last resort.

In terms of another option, the other option is a partial denture for where the teeth are missing. That's basically something that comes in and out of your mouth, and you would only have the tooth needed that is missing. Typically, when it's only one tooth or only one-sided, it is extremely uncomfortable for the patient because you cannot use it to chew. You cannot use it to really function or do anything. We call it a smiling tooth. It's just there for show, and then when you really actually are doing anything, you need to take it out, which most patients find uncomfortable, especially if they're out in social settings and they can't actually use their mouth.

What is the healing process after a dental implant is placed?

Once you get that implant placed, the next week or so, we ask the patient to be careful of the area that the implant was placed in. We expect minimal pain in this process. We're prescribing over-the-counter medications to help control that pain, but typically speaking, if you are taking care of the site, it heals very nicely. We like to see our patients in about two weeks, two to three weeks after, to make sure that the gums are healing well. And that's pretty much the care that's involved.

Do I need to replace a missing tooth, or can I leave it alone?

What really are the benefits of having an implant placed in that area? It's a really good question because what I often hear patients say is, "Oh, it's in the back. No one can see it when I smile, and I can just use the other side to chew." But what I ask my patients to consider is, long term, when that tooth is missing, all our teeth want to move around, especially when there's a missing space. The tooth across from it will start floating downwards. The teeth around it will kind of start shifting into the space. So if you can visualize it, that missing space actually starts a domino effect of all these teeth shifting around and affecting the entire smile.

Not only that, the teeth that we have in our mouth are all there for a reason. So when one tooth goes missing, the rest of the teeth have to start picking up the load of the bite, the load of our chewing, and all those forces that we put on our teeth. The adjacent teeth start taking on what they're not meant to take. That can actually lead you, long term, to fracturing more teeth and losing more teeth. So it's actually really important that when a tooth goes missing, we replace it.

How much does a dental implant typically cost?

A dental implant can typically cost anywhere from $5,000 to $6,000, and the range can vary all over the place based on the area you're in and, really any supportive procedures that are needed for the success of that implant.

What is the cost difference between a dental implant and the alternatives?

Up front, a partial denture and a bridge are typically going to be less than an implant. However, the longevity is markedly different, where implants have a much higher rate of success, comfort, and overall patient acceptance of that treatment in their mouth.

Want to learn more? Call Affinity Smiles at (847) 780-2114 or email [email protected]. Our team is happy to answer your questions and help schedule your visit.