Immediate Dental Implants for Replacement of Broken Tooth
- David Hakham, DDS
- Nov 6
- 4 min read
A broken tooth can happen to anyone. It can result from biting down on something hard, an accident, or even a failing dental restoration. When a tooth breaks, it is not only uncomfortable and sometimes painful, but it can also affect your ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. The good news is that modern dentistry provides effective solutions, including immediate dental implants, to restore both function and appearance.
I would like to share a real patient story from our office to show how these treatments work in practice and how a broken tooth can be restored efficiently and beautifully.
The Problem: A Broken Tooth
A patient came to our office worried because two crowns on the upper right side had come off unexpectedly. She did not experience any trauma, and she was not sure why her teeth had broken.
When we examined her, we found that one tooth had very little natural tooth structure remaining and a previous root canal that was not ideal. This meant simply placing a new crown would not be reliable. The other tooth had a cavity under the crown but enough healthy tooth structure to support a new restoration.
Why Crowns Fail and Lead to a Broken Tooth
Dental crowns are designed to protect and strengthen teeth. They are commonly used after large cavities, fractures, or root canal treatments. Crowns can be durable, functional, and esthetically pleasing, but they are not indestructible. A broken tooth often results from crown failure, and there are several common reasons this can occur:
Fracture of the crown material: Crowns can crack or chip over time due to biting, grinding, or natural wear.
Decay under the crown: If bacteria manage to penetrate the edges of a crown, the underlying tooth can decay, weakening the structure and causing the crown to fail.
Previous root canal problems: Teeth that have undergone root canal therapy can sometimes become fragile over time, making them more susceptible to breaking.
Loss of cement: The adhesive that holds the crown in place can deteriorate, leading to crown loosening or detachment.
Experiencing a broken tooth can be alarming, but it does not always mean that the tooth is lost. Determining the best course of action depends on the health of the remaining tooth structure, gum tissue, and surrounding bone.
Can a Broken Tooth Be Saved or Does It Need Extraction?
When a patient comes to the office with a broken tooth after crown failure, the first step is a careful evaluation. Factors we consider include:
Amount of healthy tooth remaining: The more natural tooth that remains, the better the chance of restoring it with a new crown.
Condition of any previous root canal: A compromised root canal can make long-term restoration more challenging.
Overall prognosis of the tooth: Severely damaged teeth may continue to fail, even with new crowns.
In the case of one of our patients:
A tooth on the upper right had enough healthy structure remaining to support a new crown. With careful restoration, we were able to provide a durable, natural-looking solution.
Another tooth on the upper right was very weak, with minimal structure remaining and a previously problematic root canal. After reviewing all options, the patient chose extraction and replacement with an immediate dental implant.
Tooth Extraction and Immediate Dental Implants
The idea of tooth extraction can be intimidating. However, with modern techniques, extraction is safe, predictable, and comfortable. The process is carefully performed to preserve as much bone and gum tissue as possible, which is crucial for maintaining a natural appearance and for supporting a replacement tooth.
A dental implant is a small titanium post placed into the jawbone where the tooth was. Over time, the bone grows around the implant, creating a stable and durable foundation. A crown is then attached to the implant, resulting in a tooth that looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth.
An immediate dental implant takes this one step further by placing the implant at the same time as the extraction. The advantages include:
Fewer procedures and faster overall treatment
Preservation of bone and gum tissue for a more natural look
Shorter healing time with predictable outcomes
For our patient, the broken tooth was carefully extracted, and an immediate dental implant was placed in the same visit. A small bone graft was added to support the surrounding tissue, and a healing cap protected the site as the implant integrated with the bone. This approach reduced recovery time and helped the patient maintain the natural contour of the gums and jawline.
Restoring the Neighboring Tooth
Not every tooth that loses a crown requires extraction. In this case, the neighboring tooth on the upper right had enough healthy structure to support a new crown. We restored it with a high-quality zirconia crown, carefully shaped and shaded to match the patient’s smile.
This restoration restored normal chewing function and improved esthetics. The patient was able to bite, eat, and smile naturally again. It also demonstrated how even partial dental issues can be corrected successfully when treated promptly and with expertise.
The Final Outcome
After a series of follow-up visits, the patient left our office with a fully restored and confident smile:
The tooth that could be saved was restored with a durable, natural-looking crown
The broken tooth was replaced with an immediate dental implant and final screw-retained crown
The patient was thrilled with the results, able to chew comfortably, speak clearly, and smile confidently. This case shows that even when a crown fails and a tooth cannot be saved, modern dental techniques, particularly immediate dental implants, can restore function and appearance efficiently and predictably.
Key Takeaways for Patients
A broken tooth does not always mean you have to lose the tooth. Proper evaluation is essential.
Crowns can fail due to decay, fractures, or previous root canal issues.
Immediate dental implants provide a reliable, long-term solution with fewer procedures and faster recovery.
Personalized treatment plans with an experienced dentist ensure the best outcome for your smile.
If you are dealing with a broken tooth or a failing crown, do not delay seeking professional care. Modern dentistry offers safe, predictable, and esthetically pleasing solutions, including immediate dental implants, to restore your smile, confidence, and overall oral health.
