A single missing tooth can influence how your smile looks, how your bite feels, and how confident you are in everyday situations. At Metrolina Periodontics & Dental Implants in Charlotte, you receive precise and personalized implant care that restores your tooth with a natural appearance and dependable function. Whether you lost a front tooth or a back molar, our team will guide you through a calm experience that helps you feel comfortable and informed from the start.
Why Choose a Single Tooth Implant
A single tooth implant replaces both the visible tooth and the root beneath the gum line. Your periodontist places a small titanium post in the bone, which supports a custom crown created by your restorative dentist. This gives you a stable and lifelike replacement that feels secure when you smile, speak, or chew.
Benefits of a Single Tooth Implant
- Restores comfortable chewing
- Recreates a natural and seamless appearance
- Keeps nearby teeth from shifting
- Helps maintain healthy bone support
- Offers lasting results with proper care
- Avoids altering surrounding teeth
A single implant is one of the most predictable ways to replace a missing tooth, offering aesthetic and functional advantages that other options cannot match. If you want to learn more about how implants replace missing teeth with strength and stability, explore more details on dental implants.
Same-Day Implant Options
Many patients qualify for a single tooth implant on the same day their tooth is removed. This option shortens treatment time and helps preserve the natural shape of your gums. Your periodontist will assess your bone level and gum tissue to determine whether same-day dental implant placement is the right option for you.
Advantages of Same-Day Single Tooth Implants
- Fewer visits
- Smoother healing process
- Helps preserve gum contour
- Immediate improvement in appearance
- Reduces early bone changes
If same-day placement is not ideal for you, our team will still provide a temporary solution that keeps your smile complete during healing.
Best Candidates for a Single Tooth Implant
You may be a good candidate if you:
- Are missing one tooth or plan to replace one
- Want an option that stays in place and integrates beautifully with your smile
- Prefer a durable solution over a removable appliance
- Have healthy gums or can benefit from soft tissue support
- Have enough bone to hold an implant, or can receive bone grafting
Your periodontist will review your medical history, take imaging, and discuss your goals to create a plan tailored to you.
What You Can Expect from a Single Tooth Implant
Your implant procedure is completed with local anesthetic, and IV sedation is available if you prefer a deeper level of relaxation. Steps vary based on whether the implant is placed the same day as the extraction, but your periodontist will help you understand the process so you feel prepared.
Your Treatment Process
- Your doctor evaluates the bone and gum tissue.
- If needed, the damaged tooth is gently removed.
- The implant is placed with precision to support a secure result.
- A temporary tooth may be provided to maintain appearance.
- After healing, your restorative dentist attaches your final crown.
The implant integrates with the bone, and the final crown is shaped and shaded to blend with your natural smile.
Recovery and Aftercare for a Single Tooth Implant
Most patients return to daily activities in a few days. Mild swelling or tenderness can occur during the first days and is manageable with simple home care. You will receive instructions that support comfortable healing. Follow-up visits help your periodontist confirm that the implant is stable and healing well.
Once the implant is fully integrated, your restorative dentist will place the final crown, which is designed to match your surrounding teeth.
Why Patients Choose Metrolina Periodontics & Dental Implants
At Metrolina Periodontics & Dental Implants, you receive careful implant planning supported by advanced imaging and specialized training. Your care is provided by Dr. Matthew Ficca, a board-certified periodontist and dental implant surgeon, and Dr. Daniel Hall, a board-certified periodontist and dental implant surgeon. Both doctors combine advanced techniques with a patient-centered approach to help you achieve a natural and reliable replacement for your missing tooth.
What Sets Our Implant Care Apart
- Detailed diagnostics and careful planning
- Precise placement for secure results
- Same-day options when appropriate
- Calm and supportive environment
- Coordination with your restorative dentist
- Follow-up care that supports lasting comfort
Single Tooth Implant FAQs
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How Long Does a Single Tooth Implant Last?
A single tooth implant can remain stable for many years when cared for properly. Because the implant replaces the root of the missing tooth, it helps preserve the bone in the area, which keeps the foundation strong. Most patients maintain their implant comfortably with daily brushing, flossing, and regular hygiene visits. Your periodontist will review simple home care habits that help protect the implant and support healthy gums. When you follow these recommendations, your implant can stay secure and functional for a very long time.
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Will My Implant Look Natural?
Yes. Your restorative dentist designs a custom crown that matches the color, shape, and size of the surrounding teeth. Once your implant heals and the crown is placed, the replacement blends with your natural smile so that it does not stand out. This is especially important for front teeth, where your smile line is more visible. Your periodontist carefully positions the implant to support strong function and provide your restorative dentist with the ideal angle for a natural result.
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Is a Single Tooth Implant Procedure Painful?
You stay comfortable throughout the procedure with local anesthetic, and IV sedation is available if you prefer deeper relaxation. Most patients describe mild soreness in the first days after treatment, which is manageable with simple care at home. Your doctor will review easy steps that help you recover smoothly. Many patients feel surprised by how quickly they return to normal routines after their appointment.
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Can I Get a Single Tooth Implant the Same Day My Tooth Is Removed?
Many patients qualify for same-day placement. This option reduces the number of visits and helps preserve the natural shape of your gum line. Your periodontist will evaluate your bone level, gum health, and overall healing potential to determine whether same-day placement is the right choice for you. Even if you are not a candidate, you can still receive a temporary replacement so your smile stays complete while you heal.
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What If I Have Bone Loss?
If you have bone loss, you may still be a good candidate for a single tooth implant. Bone grafting can rebuild the area so the implant has a stable foundation. Your periodontist will review detailed imaging to assess the depth and location of the bone loss, then recommend the most effective grafting method. Once the area is strengthened, it can support an implant comfortably and securely.
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What Happens If I Do Not Replace a Missing Tooth?
When a missing tooth is left untreated, the nearby teeth can shift into the open space. This can change your bite, create gaps, and make chewing uncomfortable. The bone in the area may also shrink because it no longer receives stimulation from a tooth root. Replacing the tooth with an implant helps you avoid these changes and maintains the natural structure of your smile.
Start Your Personalized Dental Implant Care With Metrolina Periodontics & Dental Implants
If you want a natural-looking, secure replacement for a missing tooth, our team is ready to help you. You will receive a personalized plan, a calm treatment experience, and clear guidance throughout your care. Schedule your consultation today to learn how a single tooth implant can restore your smile.