Bridge The Gap

Sometimes losing one tooth doesn’t seem like that big of a deal. But losing a tooth causes a domino effect. In fact, losing a tooth affects more than just your mouth. The most direct effects of losing a tooth regard day to day living. You may have speech problems, a lisp, or sound like a toothless child. You will look different with a gap in your smile, which can affect your self-confidence. You may stop smiling, or hide your smile. You might not go out as much due to embarrassment. And then there is eating.  You may need to avoid certain favorite foods because you can no longer chew them. If you lost a tooth, your Reno, NV dentists, Drs. Wager and Evans, can set up a consultation to discuss your treatment options.

Options

When you lose one or more teeth, there are replacement options available which include dental bridges and dental implants.

Dental Bridge: A dental bridge is called such because it literally “bridges” the gap between the two original remaining teeth (abutment teeth). The bridge is fabricated with a crown on each end and a replacement tooth (a pontic), or teeth, between the crowns. The abutment teeth are used to anchor the dental bridge. This is done by reducing the abutment teeth and capping them with the dental crowns on each end of the bridge. The dental crowns are cemented onto the abutment teeth, providing a permanent restoration. Before implants, bridges were common treatment for replacing a lost tooth.

Dental Implant: A dental implant recreates the missing tooth, or teeth. The teeth adjacent to the missing tooth remain intact for an implant. An implant is fabricated of an artificial dental root which is a titanium post, then topped with an imitation tooth. The bottom of the titanium post is drilled directly into the missing tooth’s original socket, or alveolus, leaving the top of the post, or abutment, standing above the gumline. The titanium “root’ is given time to permanently fuse with the bone as a real root would. This can take a few months. Once this biochemical process is complete, the root is ready to support the imitation tooth, which is fabricated to blend with surrounding dentition. Sufficient bone mass is required to support an implant procedure.

About Your Reno Dentists

Dr. William Wager, Dr. Brian Evans, and our highly experienced team at Wager Evans Dental are devoted to our patients and their families, and dedicated to providing first-rate dental care in a comfortable, inviting environment. Schedule a consultation or your next dental appointment at our Reno family dentist office today by calling (775) 800-4845. We proudly welcome residents from Spanish Springs, Sparks, Incline Village, Dayton, Fernley, and all surrounding communities.