- Trusted single-tooth implant care in the Treasure Valley
Single Dental Implants in Meridian, ID
Missing a tooth? A single dental implant is a permanent, natural-looking replacement that restores your smile and your bite strength.
One doctor. One location. One solution. Dr. Drew Phillips has placed 8,000+ dental implants and is known for honest answers and a calm, no-pressure approach. If you’re missing one tooth, this is the closest thing to getting it back.
- 8,000+ implants placed
- One doctor, one location
- Honest answers
- No pressure
8,000+
implants
placed
- Free · ~2 minutes · No obligation
Find Out If a Dental Implant Is Right for You
Answer a few quick questions to see whether a single implant is a good fit, and get details on flexible financing.
- See your treatment options instantly
- Get financing details
- No pressure, no sales pitch
- Why It Matters
One Missing Tooth Is a Bigger Deal Than It Looks
Many people assume a single missing tooth isn’t worth treating, especially if it’s toward the back where no one sees it. But the gap doesn’t stay a gap. The teeth on either side start to drift, the bite shifts, and the jawbone underneath begins to shrink because nothing is stimulating it anymore.
The longer the space sits empty, the more complicated replacing it becomes. Treating it early keeps your options simple.
Bite misalignment
Shifting of surrounding teeth
Changes to facial structure
Jawbone weakening and bone loss
- The Basics
What Is a Single Dental Implant?
A single dental implant replaces one missing tooth with one implant, root to crown. A small titanium post is placed in the jawbone where the tooth root used to be. Once it heals and fuses with the bone, a custom crown is attached on top, matched to the shape and shade of the teeth around it.
The result looks, feels, and works like a natural tooth. You brush it, floss it, and eat with it the same way. Nothing comes out at night, and nothing is done to the healthy teeth on either side.
Implant
A titanium post that replaces the tooth root and bonds with your jawbone.
Abutment
A small connector that joins the implant to the crown.
Crown
A custom-made tooth, color-matched to blend in with your smile.
If you’re missing several teeth or a full arch, see implant-supported bridges or All-on-X.
- Know Your Options
Implant, Bridge, or Partial Denture: What's the Difference?
There are three common ways to replace one missing tooth. They differ in how long they last, what they do to your neighboring teeth, and what happens to the bone underneath.
- Permanent
Dental Implant
Stands on its own. Nothing is done to the teeth next to it, it keeps the jawbone stimulated, and with good care it can last for decades. This is the option we recommend for most patients missing a single tooth.
- Recommended
- Anchored
Traditional Bridge
A false tooth held in place by crowns on the two neighboring teeth, which have to be reshaped to fit them. Faster than an implant, but it depends on healthy neighbors and doesn’t stop bone loss under the gap. Many of our patients choose an implant-supported bridge instead when more than one tooth is missing.
- Removable
Partial Denture
A removable appliance that clips onto nearby teeth. The lowest-commitment option, but it comes out for cleaning, can loosen over time, and doesn’t preserve the bone.
Not sure which is right for you? That’s exactly what the free consultation is for. Dr. Phillips will show you what he sees on your scan and give you a straight answer.
- Why It Works
The Benefits of a Single Dental Implant
Permanent & fixed
It stays in your mouth. No adhesives, no removing it at night.
Protects your jawbone
The implant stimulates the bone the way a natural root does, so the jaw doesn’t shrink.
Saves your other teeth
Nothing is ground down or reshaped. Your neighboring teeth are left alone.
Full bite strength
Chew on it like a natural tooth. No favoring one side.
Looks completely natural
The crown is matched to your teeth in shape and shade. Most people can’t tell which one it is.
Easy to care for
Brush and floss like the rest of your teeth. No special cleaning routine.
- What to Expect
How Getting a Single Dental Implant Works
- Step 1
Free Consultation
You talk, we listen. We take a 3D CBCT scan of your teeth, jawbone, and sinuses and give you honest answers about whether an implant is the right fit.
1
- Step 2
Your Custom Plan
Dr. Phillips plans the exact implant position in 3D ahead of time, so placement day is precise and predictable.
2
- Step 3
Implant Placement
The area is numbed and the implant is placed in the jawbone in a single visit. If you’d like more than local anesthetic, IV sedation is available. In some cases a temporary tooth can be placed the same day.
3
- Step 4
Healing & Your New Tooth
Over the next few months the implant fuses with your bone. Once it’s solid, your custom crown is attached and you’re done.
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- Honest Answers, No Surprises
Financing Options for Your Dental Implant
At your free consultation, we’ll give you a clear, itemized treatment plan so you know exactly what to expect before you commit to anything.
We don’t bill insurance directly, but we’ll provide full documentation so you can submit for any available reimbursement. Read more on our Finance & Insurance page.
Flexible monthly payments
We partner with trusted lenders and help with pre-approval.
Cherry
Proceed
LendingClub
HFD
- Clear, itemized treatment plan
- Help with pre-approval
- No hidden fees
- Experience Matters
Why Patients Choose Care Dental for Dental Implants
Placing one implant well takes the same precision as placing a full arch. Few providers in the region have done more of either.
- 8,000+ implants placed by Dr. Drew Phillips, one of Idaho's most experienced implant providers.
- One doctor, one location, start to finish. Consultation, surgery, and your final crown all happen here. No outside referrals.
- Advanced 3D planning with CBCT imaging for precise, predictable placement.
- IV sedation available in-office for patients who want to sleep through it.
- A calm, no-pressure approach. Dr. Phillips treats you like a person, not a number.
- Powered by SmileReveal™
See Your New Smile Before You Ever Sit in the Chair
How it works
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Walk in knowing exactly what’s possible. No guesswork, no hesitation.
- Testimonials
Hear From People Who've Been Where You Are
- What to Expect
Recovery After a Single Dental Implant
Most patients are surprised by how manageable it is. Expect some swelling and tenderness around the site for a few days, controlled with ice and over-the-counter pain relief. You’ll eat soft foods at first and work back to a normal diet as the area heals.
Over the following months the implant fuses with your jawbone, a process called osseointegration. That’s what makes it permanent. We’ll see you for follow-ups along the way, and you can always call with questions.
- Built to Last
Your Material Options
Both the implant and the crown come in more than one material. Dr. Phillips will recommend what fits your bite, your budget, and where the tooth sits in your smile.
Titanium Implant
The standard for implant posts, with decades of clinical history and excellent bonding to bone.
- Proven
Zirconia Implant
A ceramic, metal-free alternative for patients who prefer it. Learn more about zirconia implants.
- Metal-free
- Good Questions
Single Dental Implant Frequently Asked Questions
Does getting a dental implant hurt?
The area is fully numbed, and IV sedation is available if you’d rather not be aware of the procedure. Afterward, most patients describe it as milder than a tooth extraction and manage it with over-the-counter medication.
How long does the whole process take?
Implant placement is a single visit. The implant then needs a few months to fuse with the bone before the final crown is attached. Exact timing depends on your healing and whether any bone grafting is needed first.
How long does a single dental implant last?
With good home care and regular checkups, the implant itself can last for decades. The crown may eventually need replacement from normal wear, the same as any dental restoration.
Is an implant better than a bridge for one missing tooth?
For most patients, yes. An implant doesn’t require reshaping the neighboring teeth and it preserves the jawbone under the gap. A bridge can be the right choice in specific situations, and Dr. Phillips will tell you honestly which fits your case.
Can I get an implant the same day my tooth is pulled?
Sometimes. If the site is healthy and there’s enough bone, the implant can be placed at the same visit as the extraction. If not, the socket heals first, often with a graft, and the implant is placed a few months later.
I've been told I have bone loss. Can I still get an implant?
Often, yes. Bone grafting or a sinus lift can rebuild the area so an implant has enough support. Your 3D scan at the consultation will show what’s needed.
Does insurance cover dental implants?
We don’t bill insurance directly, but we provide full documentation so you can submit for any available reimbursement. We also offer financing to keep payments manageable.
- Serving the Treasure Valley
Single Dental Implants in Meridian & the Greater Boise Area
Our office is in Meridian, ID, and we welcome patients from across the Treasure Valley, including Boise, Nampa, Eagle, and Caldwell.
Care Dental Implant & Cosmetic Center
One doctor, one location. Consultation, surgery, and your final crown all happen here.
You Deserve a Complete Smile
Take the first step today. No pressure, just a simple conversation about what’s possible and whether a single implant is right for you.