Replace missing teeth with dental implants in Omaha
There are a number of reasons you could be missing one or more teeth. It’s quite common and can be a result of trauma, tooth decay, or gum disease. It could even be that you never had an adult tooth to replace a baby tooth when you were younger. In fact, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, 69% of adults aged 35-44 have lost at least one permanent tooth, and by the time 26% of adults reach 74, they have lost all of their teeth.
Choices & Risks
When managing tooth loss, like with many dental issues, you do have choices. Dental bridges are a common way to fill the gap left by a missing tooth. Some people use removeable prosthetics like a single tooth, multiple teeth, or complete set of dentures, and others choose not to replace the tooth – or teeth – at all.
With the exception of not replacing the tooth at all (don’t you want to be able to enjoy the tasty nutritious foods that require teeth to eat?), these can all be good options depending on your personal situation. But they don’t address a concern that comes with missing teeth – bone loss due to the lost tooth root. Tooth roots play an important role in your oral health as much as your teeth do. In addition to anchoring your tooth to your jawbone, they also stimulate the bone itself, keeping it healthy. Without a tooth root to stimulate this bone, over time your jawbone will recede. Plus, with a dental bridge, the replacement tooth is held in place with crowns, which means that healthy teeth need to be prepared for the crowns.
Another concern that comes with these options is that they are not permanent solutions. Crowns, bridges, dentures, and partials all have a shelf life and will need replacing at some point – often in as few as 3-5 years.
Not replacing the tooth at all is something I never recommend. Without that tooth filling the space between the neighboring teeth, you will experience drifting teeth, which may affect your bite.
The Gold Standard
With a 98% success rate, and the ability to last a lifetime with proper care, dental implants have become the gold standard of tooth replacement. And again, as with many dental issues, there are different solutions depending on your needs and individual circumstances.
Individual tooth replacement – each missing tooth will have a dental implant placed, and then a crown that looks just like, and blends in with, your natural teeth is cemented on top of the implant.
Multiple tooth options – I can create a bridge that is anchored in place with implants on either side, saving the neighboring teeth from damage.
Implant-support dentures – combining the best of both worlds, implant-supported dentures give you a full set of teeth, without the slipping or clicking that comes with dentures.
Dental implants are such a good choice for tooth replacement that the number placed each year is the same as knee and hip replacements!
So, if you’re looking for dental implants in Omaha, give me a call for a free consultation. Even if you’ve been missing a tooth for a long time and have already experienced bone loss, I can help you. My team and I are dedicated to your comfort while we help give you the smile of your dreams – and the ability to eat and smile with confidence.
Yours in dental health,
Dr. Steven Wegner