Why Choose A Single Dental Implant?
For patients that are about to lose a single tooth or have had a tooth extracted, a single dental implant is generally the best option recommended by Dr. Flack and Dr. Schuck. There are many benefits that a single dental implant treatment can provide including:
- Once placed, dental implants can last a lifetime
- Single Dental Implant mimics and functions like a natural tooth
- Stable solution that relieves stress on neighboring teeth
What Are My Alternatives?
There are alternatives to choosing a Single Dental Implant but these other options, although viable, can be considered inferior and will also have a shorter functioning time table. These alternative options include:
- Tooth Supported Bridge
- Bonded Bridge
- Removable Partial Denture
What Should I Expect?
A Single Dental Implant procedure normally requires several visits to Southern Minnesota Implant Center.
- Your initial examination will include a Galileos 3D jaw scan and a iTero digital impression so your case can be 3D designed according to your available bone and proximity to nerves, sinuses and adjacent/occluding teeth. A consultation with Dr. Flack or Dr. Shuck will explain all risks, benefits, alternatives and options so the implant placement appointment can be scheduled. If your "poor prognosis tooth" is still present, the doctors will determine whether the tooth should be removed and the extraction site/socket preserved with bone graft or whether the implant can be immediately placed upon removal of the tooth. If removal and bone grafting is recommended, 3-6 months is needed before an implant can be placed.
- The specifically selected dental implant for your case or "artificial root" will be placed into your jawbone and the gum tissue sutured closed. Sutures are easily removed about a week later.
- Over the course of 3-4 months, the jawbone will integrate with the implant. You will return to our office for an appointment to comfortably uncover the implant with our Italian DEKA CO2 laser. At this time a healing abutment or temporary healing abutment with temporary crown, will be placed to train the contours of your gums for the future crown.
- Two weeks later, the doctor will obtain either a iTero digital impression or PVS impression so that our on-site dental lab technician can fabricate your new crown.
- Two weeks later, your custom abutment will be fastened to the implant and the custom, non-metal, ceramic crown cemented in place.
Follow Up Care and Recovery
Most patients can return to work and their normal daily activities 24-48 hours after their procedure, although each treatment can be different so please be sure to ask our staff if you have any particular activities that may be strenuous or out of the ordinary. Normal recovery periods after a dental implant is placed can range between a few days to a few weeks depending on the type of procedure you have endured. The more implants that have been placed, the longer it will take for you to fully recover. To help with the healing process, we always recommend getting as much rest as possible and eating soft food for a few days. Medication will be prescribed to you, and you should always follow the doctor's instructions post-surgery.
