A Patient's Guide to the Single Tooth Implant Process

What Are the Steps for a Single Tooth Implant? Your Complete Guide

Losing a tooth can be a stressful experience, impacting everything from your ability to chew comfortably to your confidence in your smile. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers a gold-standard solution: the single tooth dental implant. It’s the closest you can get to a natural tooth, providing a permanent, stable, and beautiful replacement.

But what does the process involve? Many patients are curious, and sometimes a little nervous, about the steps. At Gardens Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry, we believe in complete transparency. We want you to feel confident and informed throughout your entire journey.

Let’s break down the single tooth implant process step-by-step.

Step 1: Your Comprehensive Consultation

Everything starts with a conversation. Your first visit is an opportunity for us to understand your specific needs, address your questions, and determine if a dental implant is the right choice for you.

During this appointment, we will:

• Perform a thorough dental examination: We’ll assess the health of your gums and surrounding teeth.

• Take advantage of advanced 3D imaging: Using a Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scanner, we obtain a highly detailed view of your jawbone structure. This is crucial for precise planning and ensuring there is enough healthy bone to support the implant.

• Develop a personalized treatment plan: Our team will create a roadmap tailored just for you, outlining the timeline, costs, and expected outcomes. We’ll discuss all your options so you can make an informed decision.

Step 2: The Implant Placement Procedure

Once we have a solid plan, the next step is placing the implant. This is a minor surgical procedure performed with meticulous care right here in our office.

Here’s what to expect:

• The area is completely numbed with local anesthesia to ensure you are comfortable and feel no pain.

• Our skilled periodontist, Dr. Jesse Lemoine, will place a small, biocompatible titanium post into the jawbone where your tooth is missing. This post acts as the new "root" for your tooth.

Our patients are often surprised by how straightforward and comfortable this procedure is.

Step 3: Healing and Osseointegration

This is the most critical phase of the process, where the magic of science happens. Over the next three to six months, a process called osseointegration occurs. This is when your natural bone fuses with the titanium implant, creating an incredibly strong and stable foundation.

During this healing period, the implant is typically hidden beneath the gum. We may provide you with a temporary tooth replacement, so you don't have to go with a gap in your smile.

Step 4: Placing the Abutment

After the implant has fully integrated with your jawbone, you’ll return for a simple procedure to attach the abutment.

The abutment is a small connector piece that sits on top of the implant, just above the gum line. It serves as the bridge between your implant post and your final crown. We'll take an impression at this stage to begin crafting your new tooth.

Step 5: Designing and Placing Your Custom Crown

This is the final and most exciting step, restoring your beautiful smile!

Our cosmetic dentistry experts, Dr. Sujit Shokya and Dr. Hans Almanzor, will take over. Using precise digital impressions, they will design a custom dental crown that perfectly matches the color, shape, and size of your surrounding teeth. We don’t just fill a space; we restore the natural beauty and function of your smile.

Once your permanent crown is ready, we will securely attach it to the abutment. You’ll walk out of our office with a new tooth that looks, feels, and functions just like a natural one.

The Gardens Dentistry Advantage

At Gardens Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry, your care is a collaborative effort. By having a periodontist (Dr. Lemoine) for the surgical phase and expert cosmetic dentists (Dr. Shokya and Dr. Almanzor) for the restorative phase under one roof, we ensure seamless, expert care at every single step.

Ready to Restore Your Smile for Good?

A single tooth implant is more than just a dental procedure; it's a long-term investment in your health and confidence. If you're ready to learn more and take the first step, our team is here to help.

Schedule Your Complimentary Implant Consultation Today!

Or contact us directly to speak with our friendly staff.