Can You Have A Dental Implant On A Front Tooth?
Front teeth can be damaged or knocked out in accidents, collisions, and sports injuries. And unlike other injured parts of the bodies, a damaged or lost tooth cannot heal itself or be repaired. Instead, the tooth must be replaced. If a child’s baby tooth is knocked out, of course, it will be replaced naturally by the adult tooth. But if an adult tooth is missing, it must be replaced by a prosthetic device in order to restore the health and beauty of the smile.
Choosing the right front-tooth replacement is especially important for the aesthetics of the smile. The front teeth are at the center of the smile zone. They’re the first thing people see when you smile. So when replacing a front tooth, you want a dental prosthetic that looks natural, fits comfortably, and remains in place without any embarrassing slippage. And ideally, you’d want it to help keep your jaw healthy too. There are several different options for replacing a front tooth, but there’s only one that can do all this.
So…can you have a dental implant on a front tooth? Read on to find out!
Can you have a dental implant on a front tooth?
Yes! You can have a dental implant on a front tooth. In fact, we recommend it. Dental implants are life-changing, whether you have them on the back teeth or the front teeth. A dental implant replaces both the root and crown of a missing tooth. An implant’s “root” is a titanium post that’s surgically inserted into your jaw. In the few months following this initial procedure, the jawbone grows around the implant, holding it securely in place and providing a solid foundation for the implant crown. This is their key advantage over traditional dentures and bridges that only replace the crown. It’s what makes them sturdier, longer lasting, and more attractive. The crown is customized for a precise fit and a perfect color-match to the rest of your teeth. Whether you’re replacing back teeth or front teeth, dental implants are the best option for restoring your smile. Dental implants provide superior results and a more natural look and feel than other tooth replacement options.
Front tooth dental implants
Implants are a great option for replacing missing front teeth. In contrast to dental bridges, which require shaving down the adjacent teeth, dental implants do not affect the other teeth at all. A dental implant also provides a stronger and more stable foundation for chewing than a partial denture. With proper care and maintenance (including regular dental visits) implants can also last 25 years or more. This is significantly longer than any other option lasts, so it saves money in the long run.
The front-tooth dental implant procedure is done with local anesthetic and typically takes under an hour to perform. You will receive a temporary crown the same day. This will fill in the gap in your smile, but you won’t be able to bite on it for several months. It’s important that you don’t because this healing time is when the implant and jawbone fuse together. Dr. Hage provides all patients with a clear set of post-procedure instructions to help ensure a successful outcome. Once the healing process is complete, you will receive your permanent prosthesis. Your new dental implant will look, feel, and function just like a natural tooth.
Age requirements for front tooth dental implants
There is no specific age requirement for front-tooth implants, or any dental implants. The only requirement is that your jaws and teeth must have finished growing and developing. A child who loses their adult front teeth due to trauma or who is born without them typically needs to wait until age eighteen or slightly older. Generally, bone growth is complete in girls earlier than in boys. In the meantime, a flipper tooth or partial denture can help to improve the smile’s aesthetics and maintain spacing while waiting for a more permanent solution. During routine exams, the dentist will assess your child’s bone growth rate and keep you informed about when they’re ready for a permanent dental implant.
Need front-tooth dental implants? Call Smile Designers today!
At Smile Designers in San Diego, we’re dental implant experts. Dr. Armin Hage, an award-winning diplomate of the International Academy of Dental Implantology, has performed over 10,000 successful dental implants. As one of the best implant dentists in San Diego, Dr. Hage is highly sought after for his skill, expertise, and commitment to superior patient care and comfort. For more information on fronttooth dental implants, or any other dental services, give us a call at (619) 222-6000 to set up consultation with Dr. Hage today.