If you have lost a single tooth, you can either replace the gap with a dental bridge or partial denture. But when most patients hear of the third option of dental implants, they quickly forget about the other two. Dental implants replace your natural tooth from the root to the crown, giving it the looks and functionality similar to your natural teeth.

Considering a single-tooth dental implant in Lubbock, Texas? Please schedule an appointment with Lone Star Smiles. We have the technology and an experienced team to successfully install implants to complete your smile.

The dental implant process

The first step of getting a dental implant is booking a consultation with Dr. Cole Sutak. We evaluate your oral health and examine your jawbone to see if it’s healthy enough to support an implant. If you have bone loss, we will recommend a mini dental implant or bone grafting to add density to your jawbone. If you are an eligible candidate for a dental implant, we will explain the treatment time and implant process and answer all questions you have about the procedure.

The rest of the steps to replace your single tooth involve:

• Implant surgery: Don’t be scared by the word surgery — the process is simple and doesn’t need hospitalization. It can be done right here in our dental office. After numbing your gums, Dr. Sutak surgically inserts a screw-like titanium post in a precise location in your jawbone. Next, we place a healing cap on the implant and suture the surgical site to kick start the healing process.
• Healing: Healing takes about 3-6 months. As healing occurs, the jawbone grows around the implant, forming a strong anchorage to support a dental crown.
• Abutment placement: This process isn’t as intense as dental surgery. It involves minor surgery to install a connector (abutment), which will attach the implant to a crown. During this step, we take your bite impressions to create models used to custom-make your crown.
• Tooth restoration: Finally, the news you have been waiting for. The final step is to restore your tooth with a natural-looking crown. Once your tooth is fixed, no one will ever know it’s a replacement. It looks and functions like the rest of your teeth.

Want to replace your missing tooth with a dental implant? You couldn’t have picked a better option. If you are in Lubbock, TX, please dial (806) 666-1099 to schedule an appointment with Lone Star Smiles for implant-based restorations.

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