A single implant in the back of the mouth replaces a missing molar or premolar with a titanium post in the bone and a crown on top. Back teeth do most of the work of chewing, so the priority here is strength, a stable bite and long-term durability.
Why replace a back tooth
When a tooth is lost, the bone that supported it is no longer stimulated and begins to resorb. That loss is gradual and permanent, and it can make implant placement harder later — which is one reason not to leave a gap indefinitely. Meanwhile the tooth behind the space tips forward, the opposing tooth over-erupts, and chewing shifts to the other side.
An implant addresses all of this. It transmits force into the bone the way a natural root does, and unlike a bridge it does not require your dentist at Parkway Dental to reshape the healthy teeth on either side.
What to expect
A 3D scan is taken to measure bone height and width and locate important structures — in the lower jaw the nerve that supplies the lip and chin, in the upper jaw the sinus. If there is insufficient bone height beneath the upper sinus, a sinus lift may be recommended first; if width is lacking, a ridge graft may be needed.
The implant is placed under local anaesthetic, usually in under an hour. After three to six months of integration, an abutment and crown are fitted. Because the site is not visible, a temporary tooth is often unnecessary during healing.
Afterwards
Swelling and discomfort for a few days is normal. Once the crown is fitted, chewing typically feels natural and confident.
Clean around an implant crown daily. Implants do not decay, but plaque at the gum margin can cause peri-implantitis, which destroys the supporting bone and is the leading cause of late failure. If you grind your teeth, a night guard protects the restoration from overload.