Front tooth implant
If you have a missing tooth due to decay or injury, you may need a dental bridge or implant. Unless you have gum and jaw bone condition, we recommend dental implants because implants give you natural-looking teeth and function and help prevent your jawbone deterioration.
When a tooth is extracted or falls out, the jawbone shrinks over time and changes teeth alignment. Since an implant gives you the exact function of the tooth root, the new tooth allows you to chew naturally and stimulates the bone, preventing it from shrinking.
Because of caries, Laura lost an old crown and the left upper central tooth post. She called us right away and came to our office. She cannot smile, talk, or eat in front of her friends anymore. Laura received immediate temporization, and we took the CT scan on the initial visit.
As shown, there is insufficient tooth structure to support a new crown. So, extraction of the broken root and an implant-supported crown was the treatment plan for this patient. This crown is in the aesthetic area, and she has a high smile line, meaning when she smiles big (like Julia Roberts), she shows her gums and the whole crown. Julia Roberts' smile will make things very challenging.
Careful preparation necessary for a missing front tooth
It is necessary to take particular caution to proceed with front upper tooth replacement. It might be easy to have an implant and a crown. Still, it is tough to keep a natural-looking healthy gum and match the crown's color on the implant in the center of your face without crowning.
Single implant procedure
or breaking the bone and placing implant.
To ensure natural-looking teeth, we opt for minimally invasive dentistry. Minimal invasive dentistry means preserving the patient's condition without making unnecessary changes.
For instance, while many dentists open the gum flap for improved access and visibility during tooth or root extraction, this procedure disrupts the gum's blood supply, causing it to recede and irreversibly altering its original shape.In our practice, we utilize a slow and gentle extraction technique that minimizes bone disruption. This method may take slightly longer, but it significantly reduces post-operative discomfort. It preserves the integrity of the bone beneath the gums and maintains their natural shape.
While quicker extraction methods exist, they often necessitate subsequent gum surgeries to restore lost tissue. In contrast, the original shape achieved through a minimally invasive approach remains more natural and enduring, offering long-term benefits worth the initial investment of time.
Perfecting Dental Crown Color Matching
blends perfectly with your existing teeth.
Matching the color of one central crown to the surrounding natural teeth is a significant challenge. Some dentists recommend combining two adjacent teeth for better shade matching, even if the other tooth has no caries or inherent problems.
This approach enhances color harmony and ensures a more natural look, even if the second tooth is not decayed.
Our unwavering commitment to achieving a natural look is evident in the care we take to ensure that your dental work blends seamlessly with your natural teeth.
When it comes to matching the color of a missing tooth to existing teeth, we employ advanced techniques that demonstrate our commitment to precision and care.
These techniques include root extraction without gum incision, bone breakage, and implant placement. Our office uses color-corrected cameras and special filters to assess the exact shade.
By combining our tools with the expertise of our skilled team, we are committed to achieving accurate matches.
If the color does not align perfectly, we will send the crown to the dental lab for adjustments until it blends seamlessly with the neighboring teeth.
is a meticulous process that we undertake
with precision and care.
We aim to achieve seamless color matching that blends flawlessly with existing teeth. This process does not incur any additional costs. Still, patients may experience a slight delay due to needing a temporary crown.
After the adjustment period, Laura, our patient in the first picture, had her front tooth restored with a natural color that matched her original tooth, fulfilling her desired outcome.
About
Dr. Shimizu is an accredited fellow member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. There are 486 dental professionals worldwide (Only two in Houston) as of 2024 who have achieved this prestigious honor.