Dental Implants / Single Tooth Replacement
Single Tooth Replacement in Irvine
Missing one tooth? A dental implant replaces both the root and the tooth, so it looks, feels and chews like your own, without filing down the teeth next to it.
- Placed in our officeno referral needed for most cases
- Trusted systemsStraumann, Nobel Biocare, MegaGen
- Free consultationwith a written estimate
- Since 2008caring for Irvine smiles
Why replace one missing tooth?
A single gap affects more than your smile. The longer it stays open, the more the teeth and bone around it change.
Single tooth implant at a glance
- Best for: one missing or failing tooth, with healthy neighbors
- What you get: an implant post, a connector (abutment) and a custom crown
- Who places it: Dr. Tamer Elnaggar, in our Irvine office
- Timeline: often 3 to 6 months from placement to final crown
- Lasts: the implant can last decades with good care; crowns may need replacing over time
Neighboring teeth drift. Teeth next to the gap can tip into the space, and the tooth above or below can move toward it. That changes your bite.
The jawbone shrinks. Bone needs a tooth root to stay strong. Without one, it slowly thins, which can make an implant harder to place later.
Chewing gets uneven. Many people start favoring the other side, which puts extra wear on those teeth.
Food gets trapped. Gaps collect food, which raises the risk of decay and gum disease on the teeth next to it.
If a tooth is cracked or failing but still there, we can often plan the extraction and the implant together.
Your options for one missing tooth
There are three common ways to replace a single tooth. At your consultation we'll tell you which ones fit your mouth and your budget.
Dental implant (most natural). A small post replaces the root, and a crown sits on top. It stands on its own, so the teeth next to it stay untouched. It's the closest thing to your natural tooth.
Fixed bridge. A bridge fills the gap by attaching a false tooth to crowns on the teeth on either side. It's faster than an implant but requires reshaping those neighboring teeth.
Removable partial denture. A small partial clips onto nearby teeth. It costs the least, but it comes out at night and feels less like a real tooth.
Comparing the two most common choices? Read dental implant vs. bridge.
How a single tooth implant works
Most single implants take a few short visits spread over several months, while the implant bonds with your jawbone.
Consultation and X-rays
We check your gums, bone and bite, take X-rays, and give you a written plan with fees and your estimated insurance coverage.
Preparing the site, if needed
If the tooth is still there, we remove it. If the bone is thin, a bone graft or sinus lift may come first.
Placing the implant
Dr. Tamer places the implant post with local anesthetic. Most patients go back to normal activities the next day.
Healing
Over about 3 to 6 months the implant fuses with the bone. If the tooth shows when you smile, we can give you a temporary tooth for this time.
Your new crown
We attach the abutment and a custom crown shaded to match your other teeth. Then you brush and floss it like a natural tooth.
Implants placed by our own dentist
You don't have to start over with a new office. Most single implants are placed and restored right here.
Dr. Tamer Elnaggar, DDS (USC) places our implants. He is certified in implant placement and sinus lifts, and has completed courses in implant crowns, implant overdentures and crown lengthening.
Dr. Sepideh Caviar, DMD and Dr. Mary Grace Samonte-Mora, DDS restore implants with crowns and bridges, so your whole treatment stays with one team.
We use established implant systems: Straumann, Nobel Biocare and MegaGen. Some front-tooth and more complex cases are referred to a periodontist or oral surgeon we trust, and we'll tell you up front if that's the best choice for you.
Cost and insurance
Every case is different, so you get a written estimate after your free consultation, before any treatment starts.
Published estimates put a single-tooth implant at around $3,000 and up for the implant, abutment and crown. Your cost depends on:
Whether the tooth needs to be removed first
Whether you need a bone graft or sinus lift
Which tooth it is and the type of crown
Your dental insurance
Many PPO plans, including Delta Dental, cover part of an implant or the crown on top of it. We check your benefits before you decide. See dental implant cost in Irvine and our insurance page.
Ask about our free implant consultation and $500 implant credit.
Single tooth implant questions
Does getting a dental implant hurt?
The area is numbed, so most people feel pressure, not pain, during placement. Afterward, soreness for a few days is common and is usually handled with over-the-counter pain relievers.
How long does a single tooth implant take?
Often 3 to 6 months from placement to the final crown, because the implant needs time to bond with the bone. It can take longer if you need an extraction or bone graft first.
Will I have a gap while the implant heals?
Not if the tooth shows when you smile. We can make a temporary tooth for the healing period.
Is an implant better than a bridge for one tooth?
An implant doesn't require reshaping the teeth next to the gap, and it helps keep the jawbone healthy. A bridge is faster and may cost less up front. We'll go over both at your consultation.
Does insurance cover a single tooth implant?
Many PPO plans, including Delta Dental, cover part of the implant or the crown. Coverage varies, so we check your benefits and give you a written estimate first.
Who places implants at Sand Canyon Dental?
Dr. Tamer Elnaggar places implants in our Irvine office. Some front-tooth and complex cases are referred to a periodontist or oral surgeon.
Replace your missing tooth
Book a free implant consultation. You'll leave with a written plan, your options, and an estimate that includes your insurance.
Sand Canyon Dental
16100 Sand Canyon Ave, Suite 270
Irvine, CA 92618
Mon and Thu 8 AM to 7 PM
Tue, Wed, and Fri 8 AM to 5 PM