Single Tooth Implant in Temecula & Riverside County

Dental implant for a single missing tooth

When a single tooth is missing and a dental implant needs to be placed, there are two important questions that need to be answered:

  1. How long has it been since the tooth was removed? Typically need to wait at least 3 months for the bone to heal after a tooth extraction before a dental implant can be placed.
  2. Is there enough bone available to be able to place a dental implant? Implants need to be surrounded by bone on all sides in order to provide a good functional outcome, so the more bone there is, the better.

How much bone is available?

The amount of available bone can be determined by doing a special type of a dental X-ray called “Cone beam” or 3D scan. This is a mini-cat scan, but with a lot less radiation

If enough bone is available, implant placement is relatively simple. It can be done with local anesthesia (without being put to sleep) in about 30 minutes. After the implant is placed, it needs to heal inside the bone for 3 months before the crown or “cap” can be placed on it.

If enough bone is not available either in terms of height and/or width of bone, procedures to “regrow the bone” need to be performed prior to implant placement. Please see our “bone grafting” section for more information.

Replace your missing tooth & get your smile back

In this video, Dr. Dmitry Tsvetov explains the benefits of an implant for a missing tooth.

Dental implants for a single non-restorable tooth across Temecula

In a situation when a single, non-restorable tooth is present but needs to be removed and then replaced with a dental implant, there are two pathways in which this can be accomplished.

  • The first option is an “immediate implant option”, where a tooth is removed and an implant is immediately placed into the jaw bone.
  • The second option is “delayed implant placement”, where the tooth is removed, the extraction site is allowed to heal, and the dental implant is placed three to four months later.

So, let us look at each of those options in detail and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.

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Pros & cons of immediate dental implant placement

In the video below, Dr. Tsvetov discusses the pros and cons of immediate dental implant placement.

Immediate implant placement

This option is most commonly used in situations where a tooth with a single root needs to be removed. Since the dental implant closely resembles a root of a tooth in size and shape, it’s a fairly straightforward procedure to remove a tooth and to replace it with an immediate implant.

This becomes a lot more challenging and less predictable when multi-rooted teeth or “molar teeth” are involved. Since those teeth have two or three roots, it is very challenging to be able to place a single implant, working in between two or three extraction sockets or “holes” left behind by the removed roots.

Also, when molar teeth are involved, important anatomical structures such as a nerve in the lower jaw and maxillary sinuses in the upper jaw are involved. The proximity of these structures makes immediate implant placement even more challenging.

The timeline of an immediate implant placement

With an immediate implant placement a typical timeline is this:

Tooth removed and an implant placed → Wait 3 months for healing→ Implant is checked for stability and is ready for restoration (cap). Total treatment time (from extraction to completed restoration) 3-4 months, depending on how long it takes to make the tooth “cap”.

Advantage: Less total treatment time

Disadvantage: Cost – need to pay for the extraction and implant at the same time

Delayed implant placement

This option is most commonly used in situations where a tooth with multiple roots needs to be removed and a dental implant placed. As mentioned above, it is very challenging to do an immediate implant in this case.

A more predictable and simpler way to do treatment in this situation involves removing the tooth, letting the site heal for 3-4 months, place a dental implant, let that heal for 3 months, and then the implant can be restored.

The timeline of a delayed implant placement

With a delayed implant placement a typical timeline is this:

Tooth removed → Wait 3-4 months for healing→ Implant is placed→ Wait 3 months for healing→ Implant is checked for stability and is ready for restoration (cap). Total treatment time (from extraction to completed restoration) 6-7 months, depending on how long it takes to make the tooth “cap”.

Advantage: Cost – pay step by step, not everything at the same time

Disadvantage: Total treatment time is 6-7 months (compare with 3-4 months for immediate implant placement)

Consult with our experienced dental implant specialist

Here at Temecula Facial Oral Surgery, you have an opportunity to discuss your options with one of the most reputable dental implant specialists in the Temecula area. Dr. Tsvetov has also handled numerous All-on-4 dental procedures in the area, enabling patients to restore their dental health.

Additionally, during your consultation, Dr. Tsvetov can also explain the advantages of regular dental implants over mini dental implants and discuss your available options in greater detail. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!