One missing tooth. A focused plan.
Replace the Gap With a Crown Planned for Your Smile
A single missing tooth can leave a visible gap or make chewing feel uneven. A single tooth implant supports an individual crown designed for that space. At Rudnick Dentistry, Dr. Andrew Rudnick evaluates the missing tooth site, nearby teeth, and your bite before recommending a replacement.
How a Single Tooth Implant Works
The implant is the foundation in the jawbone. A connector, called an abutment, joins it to the crown you see in your smile. The crown is planned for the available space, gum contours, shade, and contact with nearby teeth.
An implant crown may replace a missing tooth without preparing neighboring teeth for a conventional bridge. Whether that is the right choice depends on the surrounding teeth, bone, gum health, and your preferences.
Choosing Between an Implant and a Bridge
An implant crown
This option uses its own implant support and involves surgery and healing. Planning includes the implant, connector, final crown, and any temporary replacement or additional treatment needed.
A conventional bridge
A bridge may use neighboring teeth for support. It can be appropriate in some situations, including when those teeth already need restorations. Ask how each option affects the teeth beside the gap.
What We Check Before Treatment
The tooth and the site
If the natural tooth is still present, the first question is whether it can be maintained. If replacement is needed, examination and appropriate imaging help assess the space and supporting tissues. Infection, gum disease, or bone loss may require additional care.
Your smile and bite
A front tooth needs attention to appearance and gum contours. A back tooth also needs careful planning for chewing forces and access for cleaning. Let the team know if you grind your teeth or have concerns about the look of the temporary tooth.
Your Temporary Tooth and Final Crown
Ask what you will wear while the implant heals and whether it can be used for biting. A temporary replacement is not always attached to the implant. Timing of placement and restoration depends on the site and treatment plan.
Before the final crown is completed, the team checks its fit, appearance, bite, and cleaning access. Healing and results vary, and future repair or replacement may be needed.
Cost and Ongoing Care
Request a complete estimate covering the implant, connector, crown, imaging, temporary tooth, and any needed extraction or bone treatment. Confirm insurance benefits individually.
Clean the area as instructed and attend recommended visits. An implant crown and the tissues around it need regular attention. A loose crown, changed bite, or persistent discomfort should be checked.
What Makes a Single Tooth Replacement Feel Personal?
The visible crown deserves careful planning
For a front tooth, discuss the tooth shape, shade, gum outline, and how the crown looks when you speak and smile. For a back tooth, chewing space and the way the crown meets the opposing teeth also matter. A replacement should be planned as part of your mouth, rather than selected in isolation.
Ask about the tooth you will wear while healing
If the gap shows when you smile, explain your concern before treatment begins. Ask whether a temporary replacement is appropriate, how it will be supported, and what restrictions it may have. An implant and its final crown are separate parts of care, and they are not always completed at the same visit.
Compare the entire treatment, including upkeep
Ask what is included in the estimate: imaging, placement, any site preparation, the connector, the crown, and temporary teeth. Discuss how you will clean around the finished crown and when it should be checked. Keeping the surrounding teeth and gums healthy remains part of looking after the replacement.
Meet patients who have shared their experiences with our practice. Choose a video to hear their story.
Chai’s Story
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John’s Story
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Jennifer’s Story
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Julia’s Story
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Liza’s Story
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Francis’s Story
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Chevy’s Story
Watch patient video ↗Individual experiences and treatments vary. Videos open on YouTube.
Google Reviews From Our Patients
Reviews reflect individual experiences with the practice.
Explore Replacement for One Missing Tooth
Bring your questions about appearance, temporary teeth, timing, and the full cost of treatment. We will help you compare options for the individual tooth.
