One missing tooth, one complete replacement
A single-tooth implant replaces one lost tooth from root to crown: a small titanium post placed in the jawbone, a connector, and a custom crown made to match the teeth around it. Unlike a bridge, it does not require reshaping the healthy teeth on either side — those teeth stay untouched.
It is often the answer when a tooth cannot be saved — for example a cracked tooth, a tooth lost to decay or gum disease, or a tooth lost in an accident — and the teeth around it are healthy.
Why a prosthodontist for a single tooth
A prosthodontist is a specialist in replacing and restoring teeth. At Expert Dental Group, Dr. Leila Nikpour brings more than 15 years of dentistry experience and the practice has placed over 2,500 dental implants. The surgical and restorative phases are handled under one roof at the Roseville practice, with in-house 3D CBCT imaging for planning.
The process, step by step
- Consultation and 3D planning — an exam and a 3D CBCT scan, which measures the bone precisely and lets the implant position be planned digitally before surgery.
- Implant placement — the implant post is placed in the jawbone, usually under local anaesthesia, and given time to fuse with the bone.
- Healing and, if needed, bone grafting — if the scan shows too little bone, grafting can rebuild it first; healing time depends on the individual case.
- Crown — once healed, a custom crown is fitted, shaped and shaded to match the neighbouring teeth.
Is implant surgery safe?
Implant surgery is a well-established, commonly performed procedure, and 3D planning reduces guesswork about bone and position. As with any surgery, risks and suitability depend on the individual — bone quality, gum health and overall health — which is what the consultation and scan are for. No outcome is guaranteed for any individual patient.
How long is recovery?
Most patients return to normal daily activity within a few days, with some swelling or soreness at first. The implant then needs time to fuse with the bone before the final crown — that healing period varies by case and is confirmed at follow-up visits, not guessed in advance.
Does insurance cover a single-tooth implant?
Coverage varies widely by plan: some plans contribute toward implants, crowns, or related procedures, and some do not. The office can check a patient’s specific plan and explain what it covers before treatment starts. No coverage amount is promised here.
Caring for your implant
Brush and floss as normal, keep regular check-ups and cleanings, and avoid chewing very hard objects on the crown. With good care, an implant-supported crown is built to last for many years.
When a single implant may not be the right call
If several neighbouring teeth are missing, or a full arch needs replacing, a different option — such as an implant-supported bridge or a full-arch solution — may fit better. That is a consultation decision, not a web-page decision.
FAQs
- Will the implant look like my other teeth? The crown is custom-made to match the shape and shade of the teeth around it.
- Does it hurt? Placement is normally done under local anaesthesia; soreness afterwards is common and usually manageable.
- How long does the whole process take? It varies — placement, healing/fusion, then the crown. The plan and timeline are set after the scan.
- Can an implant replace a cracked tooth that cannot be saved? Yes — that is one of the most common single-tooth cases.
- Do I need a bone graft? Only if the 3D scan shows too little bone; many single-tooth cases do not need one.