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Restore your smile with a single-tooth implant in Boynton Beach, FL. This durable, natural-looking solution replaces a missing tooth while preserving jawbone health and function.
Losing a single tooth affects more than your appearance. It impacts how you chew, speak, and feel about your smile, and the gap left behind can lead to bone loss and shifting teeth if not addressed. At Boynton Beach Dental Services, Dr. Eliseo Fiffe and Dr. Katiuska McIntosh provide single-tooth dental implants that restore both function and aesthetics with results that look, feel, and work like natural teeth. Our husband-wife dental team combines over 50 years of experience with advanced technology to deliver predictable, long-lasting tooth replacement solutions. Dr. Fiffe brings more than 30 years of implant placement experience to every procedure, using precision techniques that maximize success rates and minimize discomfort.
A single-tooth implant consists of a titanium post surgically placed in your jawbone, an abutment that connects the post to your restoration, and a custom crown that matches your surrounding teeth. Unlike bridges that require grinding down healthy adjacent teeth or dentures that can slip and cause embarrassment, implants stand independently and preserve your natural tooth structure. The implant fuses with your jawbone through a process called osseointegration, creating a stable foundation that prevents bone loss and maintains your facial structure. Our practice serves Boynton Beach’s diverse community, including many retirees and golf course community residents who want reliable tooth replacement that supports an active lifestyle without dietary restrictions or maintenance hassles.
Many patients wonder if replacing a single missing tooth is necessary, especially if the gap isn’t visible when they smile. The truth is that every tooth in your mouth serves an important purpose, and losing even one creates a cascade of problems over time.
When you lose a tooth, the bone that once supported it begins to deteriorate. Your jawbone maintains its density through the stimulation it receives from tooth roots during chewing. Without this stimulation, bone resorbs at a rate of about 25% in the first year after tooth loss. This bone loss accelerates over time, changing your facial appearance and making future tooth replacement more complicated.
Adjacent teeth shift into the empty space, tilting and rotating out of their proper positions. This movement affects your bite, creates new areas where food traps, and makes teeth harder to clean properly. Teeth in the opposite jaw also drift toward the gap, losing their proper alignment. These changes increase your risk of cavities, gum disease, and temporomandibular joint problems.
Missing teeth force you to chew differently, placing extra stress on your remaining teeth. This can lead to excessive wear, fractures, and the eventual loss of additional teeth. The compounding nature of tooth loss means replacing a single missing tooth now prevents more extensive and expensive dental work later.
A dental implant mimics your natural tooth structure. The titanium post replaces the root, the abutment serves as the connection point, and the crown replicates the visible portion of your tooth. Titanium is biocompatible, meaning your body accepts it without rejection and bone cells grow directly onto its surface.
The implant post is typically 10 to 15 millimeters long and 3 to 5 millimeters in diameter, though Dr. Fiffe selects the precise size based on your individual anatomy and the tooth being replaced. The post features threads that provide initial stability and increase surface area for bone integration. Modern implant surfaces are treated to encourage faster and stronger bone attachment.
Once the implant integrates with your jawbone over several months, we attach a custom abutment. This small connector piece extends above your gum line and provides the structure onto which your crown attaches. We take detailed impressions using our iTero Scanner to create a crown that matches the size, shape, and color of your surrounding teeth.
The final crown is typically made from porcelain or zirconia, materials that closely mimic natural tooth enamel in both appearance and durability. Your crown is custom-shaded to blend seamlessly with your smile. The result is a restoration so natural-looking that most people can’t distinguish it from your biological teeth.
Single-tooth implants offer benefits that other tooth replacement options can’t match. Unlike dental bridges, implants don’t require altering healthy adjacent teeth. Traditional bridges involve grinding down the teeth on either side of the gap to serve as anchors, sacrificing healthy tooth structure that can never be restored. Implants stand independently, preserving your natural teeth and offering multiple advantages for your oral health and quality of life.
Key benefits of single-tooth implants include:
These advantages make implants the gold standard for single-tooth replacement in modern dentistry.
Implants prevent bone loss by providing the stimulation your jawbone needs to maintain its density. Bridges and partial dentures sit on top of your gums without engaging the bone, allowing deterioration to continue. This bone preservation maintains your facial structure and prevents the sunken appearance that often develops in people with missing teeth.
From a functional standpoint, implants restore nearly 100% of your natural chewing power. You can eat all your favorite foods without worry, including tough meats, crunchy vegetables, and chewy bread. Bridges can restore much of your chewing ability, but they don’t match the strength and stability of implants. Partial dentures typically restore only about 30 to 40% of normal chewing force.
Implants are also more durable than other options. While bridges typically last 10 to 15 years before needing replacement, and partial dentures require replacement every 5 to 7 years, properly maintained implants can last a lifetime. The crown may eventually need replacement due to normal wear, but the implant post itself rarely fails once successfully integrated.
Single-tooth implant costs vary based on factors including whether bone grafting is needed, the type of restoration selected, and your specific clinical situation. During your consultation, we provide a detailed breakdown of costs and discuss payment options. While implants typically have higher upfront costs than bridges or partial dentures, their longevity often makes them more cost-effective over time.
Many dental insurance plans provide some coverage for implants, though the amount varies significantly. Some plans cover the crown portion, while others may contribute toward the surgical placement. Our team helps you understand your benefits and maximize your insurance coverage. We file all necessary paperwork and work directly with your insurance company to simplify the process.
We work with CareCredit, offering flexible payment plans that allow you to spread the cost of your implant over several months or years. Many patients find these financing options make implant treatment accessible within their budget. Investing in an implant now prevents the additional costs associated with bone loss, tooth shifting, and the eventual loss of more teeth.
Dr. Fiffe’s 30+ years of implant placement experience mean you benefit from refined surgical techniques and comprehensive knowledge of what contributes to long-term success. He uses advanced CT imaging to plan every detail of your implant placement, reducing surgical time and improving outcomes. Our iTero Scanner eliminates uncomfortable impression materials while providing the precision needed for perfectly fitting restorations.
Our husband-wife dental team collaborates on your care, with Dr. McIntosh’s cosmetic dentistry knowledge ensuring your implant restoration matches your smile’s aesthetics. This collaborative approach means you receive comprehensive treatment informed by different perspectives and areas of focus. The convenience of having both surgical placement and restoration completed in one practice saves you time and simplifies your treatment experience.
We understand the needs of Boynton Beach’s retirees and active adults who want tooth replacement solutions that support their lifestyle. Our patients appreciate not having dietary restrictions or worrying about dentures slipping during golf outings or social gatherings. Dr. McIntosh’s fluency in Spanish ensures comfortable communication for patients who prefer to discuss their care in their native language.
Don’t let a missing tooth compromise your smile, oral health, or confidence. Contact us today to schedule a comprehensive implant consultation with Dr. Fiffe and Dr. McIntosh. During this appointment, we’ll evaluate your bone density, discuss your tooth replacement options, and create a personalized treatment plan designed to restore your complete smile. We’ll answer all your questions about the implant process, timeline, and costs so you can make an informed decision about your dental care.
Our Boynton Beach office welcomes patients from Lake Worth, Lantana, Delray Beach, and surrounding areas. We offer convenient appointment times and accept most PPO insurance plans. Learn more about our practice and meet our dental team to discover how our experience and advanced technology can help you achieve a complete, healthy smile
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