Front Tooth Implant

A smiling woman hugging his knees after her front tooth dental implant at Pacific Modern Dentistry

Your smile is the first thing that others notice about you. When you lose a front tooth, your smile suffers significantly, as does your confidence. In addition to the effect on your smile, losing a front tooth can impact your ability to bite food, cause a lisp in your speech, and increase your risk for gum disease. Losing a tooth can also lead to shifting in your other teeth, which throws off your bite. At Pacific Modern Dentistry, we can replace a missing front tooth with a dental implant.

Causes of Front Tooth Loss

There are several reasons why you might lose a front tooth:

•	Gum, or periodontal disease.
•	Facial trauma. This can result from a fall, a sports injury, or a car accident.
•	Severe tooth decay.

What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a modern treatment for replacing a missing tooth. It consists of three components:

•	The implant post. The implant post is a small titanium rod that is surgically placed in your jawbone. As you heal, your bone fuses to the post, a process called osseointegration. This process stabilizes the post in your jaw, allowing to provide secure support for your restoration.
•	The abutment. The abutment is the connector that is placed on the exposed end of the implant. This piece provides stability for your restoration.
•	The restoration, or crown. The restoration is the crown that replaces the visible surface of your missing tooth. The crown is made from ceramic, a material that perfectly matches the color and shines of your natural teeth.

How is an Implant Placed?

An implant is placed in a surgical procedure. Before we begin, a local anesthetic is administered. This ensures that you do not feel any pain while the implant is placed. We can also provide you with sedation to help you relax. Surgery begins with a small incision in your gums to expose the bone underneath. We then drill a hole into the bone and place the implant post inside. Your gums are sutured closed around the post, leaving a small portion exposed above the tissue. Finally, a temporary tooth is placed.

When you leave the office, we provide you with a set of aftercare instructions. These instructions will help you to deal with common post-surgical issues like pain and swelling, as well as what to eat and how to take care of your mouth while you heal. Recovery from a single tooth implant can take several weeks, during which time your jaw-bone gradually fuses to the post, stabilizing it in your jaw.

After you have fully healed, the next step is placing your implant restoration. We first remove the temporary tooth and place the abutment. Next, an impression of your mouth is taken. The impression is sent to our dental lab, where the crown is designed and fabricated. Once it is finished, we check it for fit, bite, and appearance. Finally, we screw the tooth into place on the post.

Am I a Candidate for a Front Tooth Implant?

Candidates for a front tooth implant are either missing a tooth or need to have one extracted. You must be in good overall health. If you have a chronic health condition like diabetes, it is important that it be well-managed. If you currently smoke or use tobacco products, it is recommended that you quit, at least throughout the duration of your treatment. Your jawbone must also have sufficient bone mass remaining. If your jawbone is too weak, you may need a bone graft first.

Benefits of a Front Tooth Implant

A front tooth implant provides several significant benefits, including:

•	It looks completely natural. The crown perfectly mimics the properties of your natural teeth. No one will be able to tell. This restores the appearance of your smile and boosts your confidence.
•	The crown feels natural, perfectly restoring your speech.
•	The crown is much more comfortable. The post provides support for your new tooth rather than your adjacent teeth.
•	We do not need to alter the structure of your adjacent teeth to make room for the implant.
•	The implant post helps to protect the health and integrity of your jaw, stopping and preventing bone loss. An implant is a long-term, even permanent, solution to tooth loss.

Replacing a front tooth is essential for restoring your smile as well as the functions of your mouth and your overall quality of life. For more information, and to find out if you are a candidate for a front tooth implant, call Pacific Modern Dentistry at (206) 607-9822 today.