Single Dental Implant
Restore your bite and smile with confidence.
Dental technology has come far in its advancements. A single dental implant is a common and ideal replacement for a missing tooth. This replacement option involves surgically inserting a titanium implant into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth. The implant acts as an artificial tooth root and provides support for an attached artificial tooth, such as a crown.
Key benefits
- Natural appearance and function: A dental implant is designed to look and function like a natural tooth, providing a seamless and aesthetically pleasing.
- Preservation of neighboring teeth: Unlike other tooth replacement options, such as tooth-supported fixed bridges, a dental implant does not require adjacent teeth to be ground down for support. This helps preserve the health of neighboring teeth.
- Bone preservation: Dental implants replace the tooth root, which helps preserve the underlying jawbone. This is important because tooth loss can lead to bone loss over time.
- Long-term solution: Dental implants are a durable and long-lasting tooth replacement option. With proper care and maintenance, they can last for many years.
The process
The process of getting a single dental implant typically involves several steps and can take several months to complete. Here is a general overview of the process:
- Initial evaluation: Your oral surgeon will evaluate your oral health and determine if you are a suitable candidate for a dental implant. This may involve additional x-rays, comprehensive dental exam and a medical evaluation.
- Bone grafting (if necessary): If your jawbone is not sturdy enough to support the implant, bone grafting may be required. This involves adding bone from another source or using synthetic material to strengthen the jawbone. In such cases, the jaw will need time to heal, usually 4-12 months, before the implant can be placed.
- Implant placement: The dental implant, which is a titanium screw-like post, is surgically placed into the jawbone. This procedure ca nbe done under local or anesthesia or IV sedation.
- Healing and osseointegration: After the implant is placed, a healing period of three to six months is usually necessary for the implant and bone to fuse together in a process called osseointegration.
- Placement of the crown: Once the implant has fully integrated with the jawbone, a custom-made crown is created by your general dentist to match the color and style of your natural teeth. The crown is then attached to the implant, completing the restoration.
YOMI ROBOT
At The Implant Center at St. Luke’s OMS, we are proud to house the only YOMI robot in the Lehigh Valley.
The Yomi robot is a robotic system specific for dental implant placement. It is the first and only FDA-cleared robotic system for dental surgery The Yomi platform provides accuracy and precision, allowing your oral surgeon to perform more complex cases with confidence. By enabling in-depth planning and a high degree of operative precision, Yomi can be used to perform flapless surgery. The robot is designed to avoid critical anatomy by restricting the user from drilling beyond their planned depth. It is important to note that the Yomi robot is a robotic system, but it is not autonomous. The surgeon remains in control of the instrumentation at all times.
