The value of complete set of permanent natural and healthy teeth is realized only when one has a missing tooth. Even a single missing tooth has a major influence on the health and functioning of oral cavity. If you’re missing a tooth, a single dental implant can be a highly effective solution. With a titanium implant placed in the jawbone and a custom-made crown attached, it provides a natural-looking and fully functional replacement.

But now, owing to the improved lifestyle people have become more and more aware and proactive in replacing even a single tooth. The newer and improved teeth replacement options like ‘dental implants’ have made it possible. Oral implantology has changed the face of dentistry exorbitantly.

Options for replacing a single tooth

Few years back the treatment modalities to replace missing teeth were very limited. A single missing tooth was replaced with help of artificial teeth called dental bridges. But in order to replace a single missing tooth the other two adjacent teeth had to be cut down or prepared to receive the artificial bridge over it. Even though the bridge is fixed permanently the cost was to shave two natural and healthy teeth.

Patients who are reluctant to cut their natural teeth opt for removable partial dentures even for a single tooth. The permanently fixed artificial bridge has been the choice of patients for many years now. But after a period of 15-20 years, problems like dental decay, gum swelling, food lodgment under the bridge starts which damages the natural teeth. Thus, the need to replace the artificial bridge is mandatory over a period of time.

What are the consequences if a single missing tooth is not replaced?

Teeth are very vital components of the human body. Teeth aid in proper chewing and digestion of food, enhance one’s smile and personality, assist in speech, and help in many other functions. Even a single tooth has a major role in the above-mentioned functions. Likewise every tooth has a different function hence not all teeth look the same.

In 80% of cases, the molar tooth is removed most of the time due to cavities, gum problems, or any other reason. Dental literature has proved that the majority of the food is chewed and grinded by the molar teeth. Therefore, even a single missing molar tooth can impair the chewing ability of a person. Or in cases of road traffic accidents or sports injuries, the front tooth is lost due to severe impact.

One can only imagine a person smiling with a front tooth missing. It’s a huge loss that affects the self-esteem of a young person. If the missing tooth is not replaced early, it leads to drifting of the nearby teeth which can ultimately even hamper the bite and esthetics of an individual.

Implant for one missing tooth

Owing to the fast-paced lifestyle people often desire an option for single tooth replacement to be fast, less painful, comfortable, economical and something close to natural tooth. Well, dental implants fulfill almost all the criteria. Dental studies have proved the success and survival rate of single dental implants to be over 95%.

Therefore, dental implants naturally have a leading edge over other teeth replacement options. The rationale for single-tooth implant is not just missing tooth replacement but careful preservation of remaining structures like adjacent teeth, bone and gums. Thus, single tooth implants offer a more predictable, reliable and comprehensive tooth replacement option.

Same day extraction, same day implant

Well, the answer is a big ‘yes’! A few years back the answer to this question would have been a ‘no’. But, by the virtue of tremendous research and innovation in the field of dentistry it has become a routine procedure to place an implant on the same day after tooth removal. This procedure is called as ‘immediate implants’.

Although certain prior investigations and planning are absolutely pre-requisite. The site where an immediate implant is to be placed has to be free of infection and adjacent bone should be healthy. In case of a front tooth removal, placement of an implant immediately can boost the confidence of a patient phenomenally. Thus, same day implant placement after tooth removal is the newest dental treatment advancement wherein patients need not even wait for months like earlier times.

What is the cost of single tooth implant in India?

The cost of a single tooth implant varies from country to country and within the country as well. Every dental surgeon can quote a charge for a single tooth implant as per his or her expertise and skill set. Even though it’s a single tooth implant there can be certain preparations like bone grafting required to support the deficient bone. Or if it’s a front tooth, keeping in mind the esthetic zone metal-free material is always preferred.

The cost of the material accordingly is different. Thus, taking into consideration all these factors the cost of a single implant varies at different workplaces and patient’s requirements. As far as other countries are concerned the cost of single implant is still very less. Therefore, due to the boom of dental tourism, most of the international patients prefer to get their dental implant placed in India than any other country and are also very happy about the final outcome.

Which company is the best for single tooth implant?

It’s a proven fact that single tooth implants have a success rate of more than 95%. In such scenario, implant of any brand or company will yield the best results. But there are certain premium companies like Nobel BioCare, Straumann, Ossteum which are in the market for decades now and definitely have a cutting edge over other companies due to their superior quality.

These companies are into implant manufacturing business for the longest time and their continuous research and innovation in the same field only brings out the best in the product. Owing to their tons of hard work and quench for superior quality the cost of single implant is relatively high. There are other dozens of companies in the market which also yield fair results but it is up to the Dentist to decide which brand to select according to the patient requirement.

Highlights

• The biggest advantage of single tooth implant over a dental bridge is that it does not hamper the adjacent healthy teeth.
• Dental implants are fixed in the jaw bone which helps to maintain the bone and gum health.
• Single tooth implants have the highest survival rate.
• Single tooth implants are more esthetic, durable and natural looking teeth replacement option.
• The cost and duration of single implants is totally worth the investment.