Dental Implants in Aberdeen, SD

A missing tooth doesn’t announce itself the way a broken arm does. It just quietly rearranges your life: the foods you order, the way you laugh in photos, the half-second pause before you smile at a stranger. And beneath the surface, your jawbone that once held that root is already beginning to shrink, narrowing your options the longer you wait. 

At Smile Solutions, Dr. Amy Scepaniak and Dr. Aleaha Fettig Ledeboer offer implant restoration for patients ready to reclaim full function and confidence in their smile. Both doctors completed their Doctor of Dental Surgery degrees, Dr. Scepaniak at the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry and Dr. Fettig Ledeboer at Creighton University School of Dentistry, and both bring a meticulous, research-driven approach to restorative care as part of our restorative services in Aberdeen. Smile Solutions has served this community since 2009, and implant restoration is one of the most meaningful treatments we provide.

Why Are Dental Implants Different from Other Tooth Replacements?

When a tooth is lost, the jawbone in that area begins to resorb because it no longer has a root stimulating it. Bridges and partial dentures restore the visible portion of the tooth but do not address this bone loss. A dental implant is the only restoration that replaces the root itself.

How the Implant Process Works Compared to a Dental Bridge

A small titanium post is surgically placed into the jawbone at the site of the missing tooth. Over several months, the post integrates with the bone through a natural process called osseointegration. Once that healing is complete, a custom-crafted crown is attached to the post. The result looks, feels, and works like a natural tooth, from the root up.

For patients who have been managing with a dental bridge, this distinction matters. A bridge relies on the two adjacent healthy teeth as anchors, so they must be shaped to support the restoration. An implant stands completely on its own, leaving neighboring teeth untouched.

Long-Term Durability

A 20-year meta-analysis published in the National Institutes of Health’s PubMed Central database found dental implant survival rates exceeding 90% over a decade, with compelling evidence supporting their durability well beyond that. With proper care, implants are designed to last a lifetime. That durability makes them the most cost-effective tooth replacement option for most patients over time, even when the upfront investment is higher than alternatives.

Who Is a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Most adults with good general health and sufficient jawbone density are candidates for implants. Because bone loss begins soon after a tooth is extracted, timing matters, and patients who act sooner often have more treatment options available to them.

Common candidates include patients who have:

• Lost a single tooth to decay, infection, or injury and want a permanent, standalone replacement
• Multiple missing teeth that affect chewing function and bite alignment
• A bridge or partial that causes discomfort, instability, or ongoing maintenance challenges
• Those with sufficient jawbone density to support osseointegration, or who are candidates for bone grafting ahead of implant placement

What the Restoration Process Looks Like at Smile Solutions

Our role in the implant process centers on comprehensive evaluation, treatment planning, and placing the final custom crown that completes your smile. Once the implant post has fully integrated, we design and place a dental crown to finish the restoration. A simple digital scan of the implant area allows us to make a perfectly fitted crown completing the final step in restoring your smile.

Caring for Your Implant Long Term

Dental implants require the same care as natural teeth: twice-daily brushing, daily flossing, and regular cleanings and checkups. Unlike other restorations, they are not susceptible to decay, though the surrounding gum and bone tissue still require attentive care. Our hygiene team will walk you through everything you need to maintain your implant for years to come.

One thing patients often appreciate is how natural an implant feels. There is no slipping, no pressure on adjacent teeth, and no dietary restrictions once healing is complete. Most patients say they stop thinking of it as a restoration at all, which is exactly the goal.

Restore Your Smile with a Dental Implant at Smile Solutions in Aberdeen, SD

Dr. Amy Scepaniak and Dr. Aleaha Fettig Ledeboer bring Dawson Academy training, memberships with the American Academy of Clear Aligners, South Dakota Dental Association, and American Sleep and Breathing Association and a genuine commitment to treating patients with the time and care their oral health deserves. As a locally owned practice serving Aberdeen since 2009, Smile Solutions is deeply invested in this community, and our team reflects that dedication in every appointment. We offer financing through Cherry and CareCredit to help make implant treatment accessible for patients throughout northeastern South Dakota.

If you are ready to stop living around a missing tooth and want a solution built to last, we would love to talk through your options. Contact our office to schedule your implant consultation and take the first step toward a complete, confident smile.