Dr. James S. Kim, DDS. SC

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Dr. James S. Kim, DDS. SC > Services > Dental Implants

Dental implants are a permanent and natural-looking solution to missing and damaged teeth.

Woman smiling wearing Dental Implants in Wausau, WI

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Dental Implants in Wausau, WI

Are you one of the millions of Americans with missing teeth? Are you tired of struggling with dentures that slip or simply aren’t comfortable? It might be time to give your smile a second chance with dental implants.

This innovation in restorative dentistry provides a permanent, stable, attractive solution to the problems posed by missing teeth. They look so much like your natural teeth that nobody will ever be able to tell the difference. With dental implants, you will no longer have to deal with the limitations created by missing teeth and poorly fitting dentures.

In addition to replacing single teeth, dental implants can also be used as part of a complete smile makeover or reconstruction when used with bridges and partials. Implants can also be used to help traditional dentures stay put.

The Problem of Missing Teeth

Most of our patients who come to us because of missing teeth are primarily concerned about the cosmetic stigma that missing teeth create. While we agree that the appearance of your smile is extremely important and is one of your defining characteristics, we also want our patients to understand that the problems created by missing teeth go much further and lead to a number of oral and systemic health concerns.

Trying to eat with missing teeth can be a painful exercise in frustration. In time, you may find yourself avoiding fresh, healthy foods and resorting to softer, processed foods. This can take a serious toll on your health and cause you to miss out on vital nutrients.

Missing teeth are also associated with periodontal disease. This progressive oral condition has been linked in studies to diabetes, cancer, reproductive problems, and other health concerns. Bone loss is a problem with both gum disease and missing teeth, and you may find that the shape of your face will begin to change.

Because your other teeth are forced to overcompensate to make up for the ones that are missing, you may also experience excessive wear and tear and erosion of these teeth. The extra pressure could also leads to chips, fractures, and even more missing teeth.

Choosing Dental Implants in the 54401 Area

Dental implants are a solution to all of these concerns. The first step to getting dental implants is to call our Wausau dental office and request a consultation with Dr. Kim. Dr. Kim will perform a full examination and discuss your goals with you to help you determine whether dental implants are the right choice.

The procedure to place dental implants is performed in two steps. The first part is placing the implant, a small titanium post that is surgically implanted into your jaw and functions like the root of a tooth. While many dentists have to refer this part of the process out to another professional, Dr. Kim is able to perform the actual implantation right here in our office, making the process much more convenient for you.

Once you have healed, you will return to our office to have the crown placed on your post. This crown is designed to look just like one of your own natural teeth so that it blends in flawlessly for an attractive and functional smile.

Contact Our Wausau, WI Office Today!

Contact our dentist office today to schedule your consultation with Wausau dentist Dr. James Kim and find out the difference that dental implants could make in your life.

Meet Our Doctor:

James S. Kim DDS

Dr. James S. Kim received his Bachelor of Science degree from Loyola University of Chicago and his DDS from the prestigious University of Illinois College of Dentistry, also in Chicago. He has maintained a private practice in Wausau with an emphasis in family, cosmetic, implant, and sedation dentistry since 2000. Dr. Kim is committed to staying current in the dental field, attending 150-200 hours of continuing education per year. Additionally, he has trained with some of the best clinicians in the world such as Dr. Frank Spear at The Seattle Institute...

My child is missing a tooth. Can it be replaced with an implant?

Not right away.

Although a missing permanent tooth is a serious situation and needs to be addressed, dental implants cannot be used until a patient’s bone growth has completed, which is usually some time during adolescence. If an implant is placed while the bone is still growing, it may shift out of its place and cause problems in the future.

Space Maintainers for Kids

What you can consider is the use of a device called a “space maintainer.” This device prevents the development of surrounding teeth from being affected by the missing tooth. When your child’s bone growth is complete, the space maintainer can be replaced by a true implant. We will closely monitor your child’s development to most effectively plan treatment.

Dental Emergencies in Wausau, WI

If your child loses a permanent tooth, this is a dental emergency. Please call our office right away so we get you in, assess, the problem, and plan treatment. Not only can a missing tooth cause social stigma (which can be devastating for a child), the missing tooth can cause other teeth to shift out of place. This can affect your child’s bite and require orthodontic treatment.

Your child’s long-term dental health is valuable, and – just like you – we take it very seriously!

Contact Us

If you have any questions about your child's oral health or their baby and permanent teeth, please contact our office today. A friendly member of our team will be happy to answer all your questions.

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a tooth replacement option made of biocompatible titanium that is used to replace the roots of missing teeth.

The post is surgically placed into the jawbone at the site of the missing tooth. As it heals, the post fuses to the jawbone and becomes a permanent part of your mouth.

Once the implant is stable, we can restore it with a lifelike crown (or other restoration, including bridges and even dentures) to take the place of the missing tooth.

Dental implants are the tooth-replacement solution that is most like your natural teeth. Because the implant replaces the root as well as the visible part of the tooth, it has an advantage that isn’t available with other replacement options. The implant restores the symbiotic relationship between the roots of your teeth and your periodontal bone, which allows the bone to maintain itself and stay strong. This helps to protect the health of your remaining teeth – and even the shape of your face.

You can care for your dental implants and crown restorations just like your natural teeth. While they can’t develop cavities, they can build up plaque, which can affect neighboring teeth and gum tissue. Brush your crown just as you would your other teeth, and return to our office as directed for regular check-ups!

Who is a good candidate for dental implants?

Dental Implants in Wausau, WI

Placing a dental implant requires the bone in your jaw to have sufficient quality and quantity. If you’ve been missing teeth for a long time or your tooth was lost to advanced periodontal (gum) disease, the bone in your jaw may be too weak to support an implant.

Don’t despair! This doesn’t necessarily mean that you can never have an implant; it simply means that some extra work is needed to build up the bone and make it strong enough to support an implant.

Bone Grafting

This can be done using certain surgical procedures, such as bone grafting. During bone grafting, donor bone is used to restore lost bone. As it heals, your own bone integrates with the donor bone, creating a stable base that can be used to support an implant.

Sometimes anatomy can make placing a dental implant more challenging. For instance, if we are placing an implant in the upper jaw, sinus cavities can sometimes get in the way. This is why we are so careful to use imaging to assess and evaluate your facial anatomy when we are considering implants. If this is true in your case, however, a procedure called a sinus lift could make you a better candidate.

Contact Us

The best way to find out if you are a good candidate for dental implants is to call and schedule an evaluation with Dr. James Kim. He’ll carefully assess your needs and provide you with all your options.

Why are dental implants such a good choice?

If you are missing one or more teeth, you’ve probably been carefully considering your options.

Compared to bridges and dentures, dental implants do cost more, which can lead patients to wonder what makes implants so special and why dentists recommend them.

Dental implants have a key feature that makes them a big improvement over a bridge or a denture – the implant post, which is surgically placed in the jawbone. This post actually integrates with the bone and then functions similarly to your natural root. Bridges and dentures are only meant to replace the visible crown of the tooth, so while they complete your smile and help you look better, they don’t help you maintain your long-term dental health.

The root is an important part of your tooth and it actually works hard to help your bone stay strong. When the root is gone, the bone stops maintaining itself, becoming weaker and thinner. In time, this leads to more lost teeth and even changes to the shape of your face.

The dental implant stops this cycle. By functioning like your root, it helps the bone maintain itself and stay strong, protecting the long-term health of your bone and your other teeth.