As stated by the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP), 178 million people in the U.S. are missing at least one tooth. Tooth loss can be caused by decay, injury, gum disease, cancer, or wear of the tooth. When a tooth is missing, not only does it affect your appearance, but you also lose chewing ability and your remaining teeth may start to drift. The bone that supported the missing tooth may begin to shrink, which can change the shape of your facial structure.

Niloufar Molayem, D.D.S. and Dr. Sanchita Mehra serve the Pasadena area in a holistic practice, providing high quality general and cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry, and periodontics services. If you are missing a single tooth, we can replace it with an implant-supported crown to restore your smile.

Single Tooth Replacement Options

When a single tooth is lost, there are two common treatment options for replacing it:

Traditional tooth-supported bridge
Implant-supported crown

While a tooth-supported bridge may be functional and aesthetic, it sacrifices the health of the adjacent teeth, which must be ground down to support the cemented bridge. As there is no longer a tooth root to hold the bone it place, the jawbone in the area of the missing tooth begins to deteriorate, causing loss of support for the facial structure.

Additionally, the gums may recede around a bridge, causing a visible defect when the metal collar of the bridge becomes exposed. If the cement holding the bridge in place washes out, it may allow bacteria to decay the adjacent teeth anchoring the bridge. Resorbed bone beneath the bridge can also affect the appearance of your smile.

With an implant-supported crown, on the other hand, the tooth root is replaced with a titanium post that integrates with the jawbone, preventing deterioration and preserving the bone. The implant holds the replacement tooth (crown) in place and does not require support from or cause damage to the adjacent teeth. It does not decay and is easier to clean than a tooth-supported bridge. Better still, an implant-supported crown provides a stable, long-term solution that fits, feels, functions, and looks like a natural tooth.

Implant Procedure for Single Tooth Replacement

In the first step of the procedure, Dr. Mehra will surgically install the titanium implant in the socket of your missing tooth. A temporary tooth that allows you to chew and function normally will be provided at this time. The implant is left in place for up to several months to allow time for healing and integration with the jawbone. The final step, when the implant has fused to the jawbone, is placement of your new ceramic tooth on the implant. This is a long-term solution for a missing tooth, with no further treatment needed.

Niloufar Molayem, D.D.S. and Dr. Sanchita Mehra practice dentistry in Pasadena using the least aggressive methods possible, with the well-being of the entire patient in mind. If you are missing a tooth, schedule a consultation to find out if you are a candidate for single tooth replacement with an implant-supported crown.

Sources:

ACP: Facts & Figures

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Practice Policy Update Regarding COVID-19

May 2020

Dear Valued Patient:

We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.

Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and staff safe.

Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.

You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:

All patients must wear a mask when entering the office.

Anyone accompanying you will be asked to wait in their vehicle.

Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you are in the office.

Upon arrival at your appointment your temperature will be taken for the safety of all staff and patients.

Prior to receiving treatment you will be asked to rinse with an antimicrobial for a minimum of 30 seconds

We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in the reception area and other places in the office for you to use as needed.

You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, and so forth, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect.

UV Air purifiers have been placed throughout the office.

Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.

We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time, so we ask that you do your best to be on time.

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at (626)798-7834 or visit our website at pasadenasmilecenter@yahoo.com.

Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.

Sincerely, Niloufar Molayem, D.D.S. & Team