Single Implant In North Miami Beach, Florida

Single Implant

According to dental experts, nearly half of the population over the age of 20 are missing at least one tooth. This can lead to a wide variety of complications including difficulty eating and speaking, and can be detrimental to your overall health.

Dr. Maria Teresa Cook and the team at Mount Zion Dental offer a few different options for tooth replacement based on your needs and expectations. One of the most popular options is the single-tooth implant.

This article explains what you need to know about this revolutionary tooth replacement.

Why Should You Pick Dr. Maria Teresa Cook In North Miami Beach, Florida For Single Implant?

Dr. Cook has more than 20 years in the industry. She is highly trained in a variety of dental services, including dental implant placement. She’s been practicing in the Miami area since 2005.

What is a Single Implant?

A single implant is a device that is used to restore appearance and functionality lost due to missing teeth. The implant is usually made of titanium because it is a biocompatible material. However, for patients with metal allergies, zirconia is available. Zirconia is a ceramic-like material.

Benefits of Single Tooth Implants

There are several benefits associated with single-tooth implants, including:

• Aesthetic restoration: Provides a natural-looking smile that improves overall appearance
• Preserve adjacent teeth: A traditional dental bridge requires the alteration of neighboring teeth to create space for the bridge to sit. Single-tooth implants only impact the space of the tooth they are replacing.
• Improves functionality: Missing teeth make it difficult to bite/chew comfortably and to speak clearly, but a single-tooth implant restores this ability.
• Long-lasting solution: With proper care and maintenance, a single-tooth dental implant can last for many years- in some cases, a lifetime.

How Does the Single-Tooth Implant Procedure Work?

There are several steps involved in the single-tooth dental implant procedure. Often, the entire process takes at least 6 months and may take as long as a year or more depending on your body’s response. The steps to this procedure include:

Consultation: The first step to every procedure at Mount Zion Dental is the consultation. This involves a thorough assessment of your oral health and usually includes X-rays and other necessary imaging to determine if you qualify for dental implants.

Preliminary Procedures: In some cases, certain procedures may be necessary before implants can be placed. If you have gum disease or jawbone deterioration, those will need to be addressed first. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to further complications and jawbone deterioration can lead to a failed implant procedure.

Implant Placement : Once the mouth and jawbone are healthy enough, the implants can be placed. This requires oral surgery and precise placement to ensure optimal stability.

Healing Period: Once the implant is in place, healing begins. Over the next few weeks or months, a process known as osseointegration will occur. This involves the jawbone healing around and fusing with the implant to secure it in place.

Abutment Placement: After osseointegration is complete, the abutment will be attached to the implant. This will securely connect the restoration to the implant. A permanent tooth replacement will be ordered at this time.

Replacement Tooth Attachment: The final step is to attach the permanent restoration to the abutment and implant, creating a flawless smile.

Aftercare and Recovery

Aftercare and recovery are critical aspects of the single-tooth dental implant procedure.

Patients are provided with specific aftercare instructions to ensure successful healing and integration of the implant with the jawbone. The basic guidelines include:

• Rest: It’s important to get adequate rest to allow your body to heal following dental implant surgery.
• Ice Packs: Apply ice packs to the cheek/jaw to reduce swelling and discomfort for the first 24 to 48 hours.
• Pain Management: Take any prescribed pain medications as directed by the dentist/oral surgeon. You may also take OTC pain relievers to reduce pain and inflammation if approved by your dentist.
• Oral Hygiene: Continue regular oral hygiene, making sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and be cautious around the implant site. If prescribed, use antimicrobial mouthwash to keep your mouth clean.
• Diet: Stick to a liquid to a soft diet for the first few days to avoid putting too much pressure on the implant. Avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods, as they could damage the implant.
• Avoid Smoking/Tobacco: If you smoke, it’s important to quit or reduce your usage during the recovery period.
• Follow-Ups: Make sure to keep all follow-up appointments as recommended. These visits are critical for monitoring the healing process and ensuring that the implant is properly integrated.
• Swelling/Bruising: In the early stages of healing, use a cold compress on the cheek/jaw to reduce swelling and bruising.
• Physical Activity: Avoid strenuous activity in the first few days after the surgery to minimize the risk of complications.
• Watch For Infection: Watch for signs of infection such as dental abscess, redness, swelling, extreme pain, and more. If you think something may be wrong, contact the dentist immediately.
• Ask Questions: The team at Mount Zion Dental believes that patients should be informed. We encourage you to ask questions and bring up concerns if you have them.

Who is the Right Candidate for a Single Implant in North Miami Beach?

The right candidate for a single-tooth dental implant has either lost a tooth or is facing imminent loss and is seeking a long-term, durable solution. However, at Mount Zion Dental, Dr. Cook uses several criteria to determine candidacy for this procedure, including:

• Good General Health: Patients must be in good overall health. Certain medical conditions may impact healing. Therefore, make sure to discuss any health issues with your dentist.
• Adequate Bone Density: Dental implants require adequate bone density for support. In some cases, bone grafting surgery may be done to build up the jaw where it has deteriorated.
• Healthy Gums: Healthy gums are also critical for dental implant success. Gum disease can compromise the stability of the implant and should be treated before implants are placed.
• Committed To Oral Hygiene: Patients must be committed to maintaining proper oral hygiene. This includes brushing twice daily, flossing at least once, and visiting the dentist at least every 6 months for a check-up.
• Non-Smoker/Willing To Quit: Smoking can impact healing and dental implant success. If a patient smokes, they must be willing to quit or significantly reduce smoking before and after the procedure.
• No Uncontrolled Dental Issues: Existing dental issues should be treated before implant placement. This will ensure the health of the environment.
• Realistic Expectations: Patients should be realistic in their expectations of the outcome of the procedure. While dental implants are typically natural-looking and functional, it’s important to note that everyone is different.
• Age: While there is no strict upper age limit for dental implants, it is recommended that patients be over the age of 18. This will ensure that all of their permanent teeth are in and their jaw is no longer growing.
• Committed To Aftercare: Patients must be willing to stick to the aftercare instructions given by Dr. Cook. This will include when and how to brush and floss, as well as any follow-up appointments required.

Dr. Cook and the team at Mount Zion Dental understand that every patient is different with their unique circumstances. Therefore, the determination of candidacy is decided on a case-by-case basis. Scheduling a consultation is critical to determine suitability for a single-tooth implant and to create a personalized treatment plan.

Financing and Insurance

Dr. Cook and the team at Mount Zion Dental believe that everyone deserves to have equal access to quality dental care. Therefore, we work closely with our patients to navigate dental insurance coverage and explore financing options. We do not believe that cost should ever be a barrier to a complete, confident smile.

Our staff will work with your dental provider to determine your coverage and provide you with a quote before starting any procedure. If you do not have insurance or if your insurance does not cover a procedure, we will explain our financing options. These options include our In-House financing plan, CareCredit, and LendingClub. We also have a program for our military veterans known as Lifetime Smiles for Veterans.

Schedule Your Dental Implant Consultation Today

If you are missing one or more teeth or have teeth that need to be extracted, schedule your consultation with Dr. Cook at Mount Zion Dental today. She will perform a comprehensive exam to determine your candidacy for the procedure. If you qualify, payment options will be explained, and the procedure will be scheduled.

The team will be with you every step of the way to make sure that you are healing properly and that you are satisfied with your results.

In addition to dental implants, Mount Zion offers other tooth replacement procedures as well as options to salvage natural teeth whenever possible.

Dental Implants FAQs

If you’re missing teeth and considering dental implants for replacement, you may have questions. Below are a few of the most common questions that Dr. Cook has addressed with patients:

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