Implant-supported crown
Replaces the tooth independently without using neighboring teeth as bridge supports. It requires surgery, healing, and enough anatomy for a restorable implant position.
Understanding before you decide
Single-Tooth Ceramic Implant Replacement
A single-tooth ceramic implant replaces one missing tooth with an SDS zirconia implant and a custom ceramic crown. The goal is to restore the tooth without preparing neighboring teeth as bridge supports, while planning the implant, gumline, bite, and crown as one treatment.
Zirconia onlyCDIC does not place titanium implants
One-tooth focusNeighboring teeth remain independent
3D planningBone and anatomy assessed with CBCT
Two locationsCentral Park South and Scarsdale
The complete replacement
How does a ceramic implant replace one tooth?
The implant replaces the missing root. The crown replaces the visible tooth. The connection between them depends on the implant system.
An SDS zirconia implant is placed in the jawbone at a position that supports the planned crown. During osseointegration, bone heals against the implant surface. The final ceramic crown is made after clinical findings indicate that the site is ready to be restored.
A one-piece zirconia implant combines the implant body and abutment-like portion. A two-piece system separates the implant and abutment. Neither architecture is automatically right for every site. Restorative space, implant angle, tissue thickness, healing strategy, and repair options affect selection.
The crown cannot correct every placement problem.
Implant depth and angle influence the gumline, crown shape, bite, cleanability, and esthetics. Planning should begin with the intended final tooth rather than placing an implant wherever bone happens to be available.
Compare complete pathways
What are the alternatives for one missing tooth?
No replacement is automatically best. The condition of neighboring teeth, bone, gum tissue, bite, timing, surgical preferences, maintenance, and cost all matter.
Tooth-supported bridge
Uses neighboring teeth to support a replacement tooth. It may avoid implant surgery but usually requires preparation of the supporting teeth.
Removable replacement
A removable partial tooth can restore appearance and some function without implant placement. Comfort, stability, tissue coverage, and maintenance differ from a fixed option.
When a damaged tooth is still present, the first decision is whether it can be predictably saved. Extraction and implant placement should not replace appropriate evaluation of tooth-preserving options.
Timing decision
Immediate or delayed implant placement?
Immediate placement means the implant is inserted at the extraction visit. It can reduce the number of surgical stages when the socket, bone, infection control, gum tissue, and implant stability are favorable.
Delayed placement allows extraction healing, infection treatment, graft maturation, or soft-tissue development before implant surgery. It may provide more predictable conditions when the original site is compromised.
Immediate does not mean instant final treatment.
A temporary tooth may sometimes be provided on the day of placement, but it must protect the implant from harmful force. The final crown is normally made after healing milestones are met.
Read how temporary teeth are planned during implant treatment.
Treatment journey
What does single-tooth treatment involve?
Examination and CBCT
The clinician evaluates the tooth or gap, bone, gums, bite, medical history, and nearby anatomy.
Restoration-driven plan
The desired crown position guides implant design, dimensions, depth, and angle.
Extraction or site preparation
A failing tooth may be removed. Infection control, grafting, or staged healing may be needed.
Implant placement
The SDS zirconia implant is placed according to the surgical and restorative plan.
Healing and temporary tooth
The site is protected while bone and soft tissue heal. Temporary options depend on stability and bite.
Final crown and maintenance
The ceramic crown is delivered, the bite is checked, and a long-term cleaning plan begins.
Front-tooth planning
How are gumline esthetics managed?
Zirconia is white rather than gray, which may be useful where gum tissue is thin. Material color is only one part of the result. Bone support, implant position, tissue thickness, healing, abutment shape, crown contour, and oral hygiene influence the gumline.
Front-tooth treatment may require extraction-site preservation, bone grafting, soft-tissue procedures, a shaped temporary crown, or additional healing time. No material can guarantee that the gumline will remain unchanged.
Back-tooth planning
What changes in a high-force area?
Back teeth receive greater chewing force. Implant diameter, available bone, crown height, connection design, bite contacts, clenching, and grinding require careful review. A protective night guard may be recommended for selected patients.
No implant is unbreakable. The restoration should be designed so it can be monitored and, where the system permits, repaired without unnecessary removal of a healthy implant.
Individual assessment
Who may be a candidate?
Single-tooth zirconia treatment may be considered when a tooth is missing or cannot be predictably restored and an SDS implant can be placed in a safe, restorable position.
- Healthy or treatable gums around the site
- Adequate bone or a realistic grafting plan
- Enough restorative space for the implant and crown
- A bite that can be managed during healing and long term
- Medical conditions and medications compatible with surgery
- Ability to clean the crown and attend professional maintenance
Active infection, uncontrolled gum disease, smoking, poorly controlled medical conditions, limited bone, severe grinding, or an unfavorable tooth position may require preliminary treatment or a different pathway.
Clear fee scope
What does single-tooth treatment cost?
CDIC’s current single-tooth special is $5,895 for one SDS zirconia implant, the abutment, and the final crown. The consultation and CBCT are free, and the same fee schedule applies in Manhattan and Scarsdale.
Extraction, grafting, temporary teeth, infection treatment, or other adjunctive care is separate unless listed in the written estimate. Review the complete ceramic dental implant cost guide.
Compare what each quote includes.
An advertised “implant price” may refer only to implant placement. Ask whether the abutment, final crown, temporary tooth, grafting, laboratory work, adjustments, and follow-up are included.
Long-term ownership
How is a single implant maintained?
A ceramic implant crown requires daily plaque removal and professional monitoring. The team checks the gum tissue, implant stability, crown, contact with neighboring teeth, bite, and bone levels when imaging is clinically indicated.
New bleeding, swelling, drainage, pain, mobility, food trapping, bite changes, or a loose crown should be assessed. Zirconia does not prevent plaque-related inflammation or mechanical complications.
Read the Knowledge Base guide to cleaning and maintaining ceramic implants.
Single-tooth implant consultation
See consultation times in Manhattan and Scarsdale.
Use CDIC’s secure scheduling calendar to choose a location and an available consultation time. An examination and appropriate 3D imaging determine whether a zirconia implant fits the site and what the complete tooth-replacement plan would include.
- Central Park South or Scarsdale
- Examination and appropriate 3D imaging guide candidacy
- Call 212-262-0950 if you prefer to speak with the team
The secure scheduling calendar is provided by CDIC’s appointment platform. Do not use the form for urgent dental or medical concerns.
Book a consultationChoose your preferred office to continue
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Helpful answers
Frequently asked questions
What replaces the missing tooth in single-tooth implant treatment?
A zirconia implant replaces the tooth root, an abutment or integrated connection supports the restoration, and a custom ceramic crown replaces the visible tooth. The exact component arrangement depends on the selected SDS system.
Will the teeth next to the gap need to be filed down?
An implant-supported crown is designed to replace the missing tooth independently, so neighboring teeth usually do not need to be prepared as bridge supports. Their health, position, and bite are still evaluated during planning.
Can the tooth be removed and the ceramic implant placed the same day?
Sometimes. Immediate placement depends on infection, socket anatomy, bone, gum tissue, implant stability, bite, and restoration needs. A staged approach may be safer when those conditions are not favorable.
Can I have a temporary tooth while the implant heals?
Often a temporary tooth can be provided. It must be shaped and positioned to protect the healing implant. The temporary may be removable or fixed depending on the site and clinical plan.
How long does a single ceramic implant take?
Treatment may take several months when extraction, grafting, implant healing, and final restoration occur in stages. Immediate placement can reduce stages in selected cases but does not guarantee an immediate final crown.
How much is a single ceramic dental implant at CDIC?
CDIC’s current single-tooth special is $5,895 for one SDS zirconia implant, the abutment, and the final crown. Extraction, grafting, temporary teeth, or other care is separate unless included in the written estimate.
Is a ceramic implant better than a dental bridge?
Neither option is universally better. An implant avoids using neighboring teeth as bridge supports, while a bridge may avoid implant surgery. Bone, tooth condition, timing, maintenance, cost, and patient priorities should be compared.
How do I know if I am a candidate for a zirconia implant?
A clinician must evaluate the site, bone, gums, bite, medical history, medications, hygiene, and restorative space. Appropriate 3D imaging is used to determine whether an available implant design fits safely.
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