Before Single Implant
If you have a missing tooth, Dr. Fred Alger can work with your dentist to replace it with a single tooth implant — a permanent, natural-looking solution for restoring your smile. A dental implant not only brings back your confidence but also improves your oral health and long-term comfort.
Dr. Fred Alger combines expertise in periodontal care, implant dentistry, and advanced technology to ensure successful outcomes. Working closely with your referring dentist, he provides the surgical precision and bone support needed for a strong implant foundation, while your general dentist designs the custom dental crown that completes the look and function of your new tooth.
A single dental implant restores full chewing power, maintains bone density, and prevents the surrounding natural teeth from shifting — offering a true long-term investment in your oral health.
What Are Single Dental Implants?
A single dental implant is a free-standing tooth replacement that restores both the visible and structural parts of a missing tooth. Unlike a traditional dental bridge, which relies on adjacent teeth for support, a single implant replaces the missing tooth root itself, preserving healthy neighboring teeth.
The implant post is a small titanium screw surgically placed in the jawbone. Over several months, the jawbone fuses to the implant through a process called osseointegration, creating a secure, permanent foundation. Once healed, a connecting piece called an abutment is attached, which supports a custom crown designed to match your surrounding teeth in color and contour.
Because this procedure replaces the full tooth structure, from root to crown, it offers superior function and longevity compared to partial dentures or bridges.
Typically, Dr. Alger performs the implant placement and coordinates with your general dentist, who attaches the final crown. Together, they ensure your replacement tooth blends seamlessly with your natural smile.
What Are the Benefits of Single Tooth Implants?
After Single Implant
Replacing a missing tooth with a single dental implant provides both cosmetic and health advantages. Patients who choose this tooth replacement enjoy results that look, feel, and function just like a natural tooth.
A single tooth implant:
- Preserves bone health and prevents jawbone loss.
- Protects adjacent teeth by eliminating the need to file them down for a bridge.
- Restores full chewing and speaking ability, letting you enjoy your favorite foods comfortably.
- Promotes long-term gum health and oral hygiene by filling gaps that can collect bacteria.
- Provides a stable, natural-looking replacement tooth that can last a lifetime with proper care.
Following the implant procedure, Dr. Alger and his team will review how to care for your new tooth with detailed instructions. Maintaining good oral hygiene, regular dental exams, and routine cleanings are essential for preserving your results.
With proper care, your implant can last for decades, serving as the gold standard for tooth replacement in modern dentistry.
What to Expect During the Implant Procedure
The process of receiving a single dental implant typically involves multiple stages to ensure stability and precision:
- Consultation and Planning: Dr. Alger will perform a thorough dental exam, review your medical history, and create a customized treatment plan using advanced imaging to evaluate your bone density and gum tissue health.
- Implant Placement: Using local anesthesia, the titanium post is surgically positioned in the jawbone. For patients with anxiety or complex cases, sedation options may also be available.
- Healing and Integration: Over the next few months, the jawbone fuses with the implant, forming a stable anchor.
- Abutment and Crown Placement: Once healed, an abutment and custom crown are attached to complete your permanent tooth replacement.
During recovery, Dr. Alger may recommend a soft foods diet and over-the-counter pain medication to ensure comfort as the area heals. Patients are often surprised by how smooth and manageable the process feels.
Preparing for a Successful Implant
Not every patient is immediately ready for an implant procedure, but many can become ideal candidates with the right preparation.
If there’s insufficient bone density or gum tissue, Dr. Alger can perform bone grafting or tissue regeneration to strengthen the foundation for your implant. These additional procedures help reduce the risk of implant failure and promote long-term success.
Patients with gum disease, tooth extraction sites, or general health concerns may also benefit from pre-treatment care before proceeding with implant surgery.
See If You Are a Candidate
If you’re missing a tooth and want a permanent solution that looks and feels completely natural, schedule a consultation to learn more about single dental implants. Dr. Fred Alger, located in Gahanna, OH, will perform a full evaluation, discuss your treatment options, and determine the best approach for restoring your smile.
With the help of advanced implant dentistry techniques, a single implant can do more than replace a missing tooth — it can help you regain your confidence, comfort, and complete oral function.