Single Tooth Implants in Bethlehem, PA

Replacing what was once missing, with a tooth that belongs in your smile.

A single tooth implant replaces one missing tooth from the root up — a titanium post where the root used to be, and a custom crown over it. At Always About Smiles, our Bethlehem, PA dental office, we design and deliver that crown ourselves, so what you end up chewing with was built for your mouth specifically.

Leaving your healthy teeth untouched

Dental implants do not rely on your existing teeth for anchorage. Unlike dentures or dental bridges, dental implants are like having your own teeth back, without relying on other teeth to keep them secured. The adjacent teeth are not compromised or damaged. A bridge asks more of you: we crown the teeth on either side of the gap to carry it, which is fair enough when they already need crowns — and a real price when they do not.

Designing a tooth that fits your smile

We work out the finished tooth first — its shape, its shade, how it has to meet the tooth above it — and everything else follows from that, so the new tooth sits where it needs to for the way you actually chew. You'll barely remember the appointment where it's placed. The tooth is what you live with.

Planning each step of the process carefully

An oral surgery team we've worked with for years places the post, and we set that up from the chair — you're not handed a phone number and left to it. Everything on either side of that one appointment happens on Brodhead Road: the planning, the crown, the fitting and every follow-up. Patients drive in from Easton and across the Lehigh Valley for that arrangement.

What is a single tooth implant made of?

A single tooth implant has three parts: a titanium post that takes the place of the root, an abutment that connects to it, and a custom crown on top. I design and deliver that abutment and crown myself — it's what you see in the mirror and bite down on every day.

How much does a single tooth implant cost in Bethlehem, PA?

A single tooth implant is quoted in two figures: I quote the crown and the restorative work, and the oral surgery team quotes the placement. You have both in your hand before anything starts. The only way to determine the actual cost is by coming in for a consultation and examination to find out if you have bone loss, how many you will need, and what type of implant.

Am I a candidate for dental implant treatment?

Almost everyone who is missing one or two teeth and is in general good health is a candidate for dental implant treatment. There are few medical conditions that can undermine the success of implant treatment, such as uncontrolled diabetes. However, there are few conditions that would keep someone from having implant treatment altogether.

How long does single tooth implant treatment take?

Single tooth implant treatment usually runs three to nine months from start to finish. You will notice a difference almost immediately. However, the entire process can take anywhere between 3-9 months to complete. This depends on the type and quantity of implants you need along with the quality of bone in which the implants are placed.

How long does a single tooth implant last?

A single tooth implant is built to last decades. Most research has shown that implants have been successful for over 30 years, and our goal is to make them so they last a lifetime. The porcelain crown on top carries a five-year warranty under our Peace of Mind Limited Dental Warranty, as long as you follow and maintain our recommendations for care, cleanings, and treatment.

Is an implant better than a bridge for one missing tooth?

Usually, because the teeth on either side stay untouched, where a bridge has to be anchored by crowning them. If those teeth already need crowns for their own reasons, a bridge does two jobs at once and can be the kinder choice — and I'll tell you which one I'd pick for your mouth, and why.

Single Tooth Implants In PA

  • You chew on that side again — patients tell us it is the first thing they notice
  • The good teeth beside it stay untouched, so you are not fixing two teeth to fix one
  • What to expect at each step, from the first visit through to the finished tooth
  • Planning each appointment thoughtfully with a plan you’re comfortable with

Missing, Worn & Cracked Teeth

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Will anyone be able to tell it is not my own tooth?

    No — and the matching is real work, not a flourish at the end. We keep an extensive set of shade tabs in the office, so there's a tab for whatever shade your teeth actually are, including the ones most offices don't stock. I take the match against your own teeth in natural light, and our laboratory builds to it. What you see in the mirror is a tooth, not dental work.

  • I have been missing this tooth for years. Is it too late?

    Often not, though the years matter, because bone thins where a tooth has been gone a long time. An examination and an x-ray tell me what we have to work with, and I'll tell you straight if additional bone support or grafting is needed.

  • Can I just leave the gap?

    Yes, you can, and plenty of people do for years. What happens meanwhile is that the teeth on either side drift, and the bite changes – resulting in gum infection, tooth decay, and chewing problems. The decision is then more complicated instead of less. I'll tell you how long the space can reasonably be left.

  • Do I have to go to two different offices?

    Two offices, but only for one surgical appointment. The oral surgery team does the placement; the planning, the crown, the fitting and every follow-up are with me. I arrange the referral myself, so you're not the one chasing it.

  • What if my insurance will not cover an implant?

    Insurance may be available toward an implant, subject to your annual maximum. We're fee-for-service, we file your claim for you, we're good at it, and we'll push to get you reimbursed. Where a claim comes back denied, I take it up with the insurer myself.