Single Tooth Dental Implant – Lincoln, NE
Completely Replace Your Missing Tooth
Some people assume they won’t miss just one tooth – but they’re wrong. A single gap can lead to a broken-down jawbone, deteriorated gum tissue, and crooked teeth. The oral issues can get bad enough to the point that you’re likely to find yourself at risk for additional tooth loss. While lost teeth don’t grow back on their own, they can be replaced with durable dental implants topped by beautiful crowns. Set up an appointment with Dr. Weber as soon as you can to discuss your options once you realize that you’re facing a very real risk of tooth loss.
Single Tooth Replacement Options
The traditional way to replace a missing tooth is with a fixed bridge also known as a crown and bridge. The replacement tooth will be connected to two crowns, which will be anchored to healthy natural teeth for support. The upside is that this form of tooth replacement both looks and feels natural, and it allows you to once again eat and speak normally. However, it only replaces the part of the tooth that’s visible above the gums; the roots that used to be in the jawbone will still be gone.
In order to completely replace a lost tooth, you’ll need a dental implant, which is a small titanium post that interfaces directly with the jaw itself. The surgery for placing an implant is minimally invasive. We simply make an incision in the gums, and the post is placed in the jaw. It can take anywhere from two to six months for the jawbone to fuse with the dental implant post. Once this process – called osseointegration – is complete, your dental implants will act like new roots for the crowns that will eventually be attached to them.
Benefits of Single Implants
Bridges and implants may both replace teeth, but there are several important differences between them. In particular, implants have many advantages that traditional forms of tooth replacement can’t replicate. Below are just a few reasons why Dr. Weber is likely to suggest implants over other tooth replacements.
- Dental implants help stimulate the jawbone, which in turn prevents bone loss. Unused bone tissue has a tendency to break down, so a dental implant can help maintain the jawbone density and gum tissue volume that would have been lost had a different form of tooth replacement been used.
- Dental bridges require us to make permanent changes to healthy dental structure. Implants, on the other hand, allow us to leave your natural dental structure alone.
- Dental implants look and feel more like your natural teeth. They also restore most of your biting strength, so you won’t have any significant diet restrictions to worry about.
- Most of the time, dental bridges only last about 10 years before needing to be replaced. Implants, on the other hand, can last for decades with the right kind of care.
It’s better to have a tooth replaced as soon as possible. Contact us today to learn more about the implant process and what steps you’ll need to take.