Dental implants are a great way to restore the functionality of your teeth and drastically improve your quality of life.
Implants can be used to replace a single tooth, several teeth through an implant-supported bridge, or an entire arch of teeth through implant-supported dentures.
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What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are implanted into the jawbone, then topped with a dental crown to replace missing or broken teeth.
They are the strongest tooth replacement option available and require less special care than dentures. Our office often recommends for patients who need to replace one or more teeth.
Implants are the preferred choice for tooth replacement, as the dental implant stimulates the jawbone, in the same way, a tooth’s natural root would. This prevents jawbone deterioration and can help prevent further tooth loss as well as facial collapse.
The occurs in several steps. Before you can be eligible for the procedure, you may need a bone graft to replace lost tissue and provide a solid foundation for the implant. Next, the implant will need to be surgically embedded into your jawbone. Finally, we will top the implant with your custom-made restoration.
You might experience some discomfort or swelling immediately following your procedure. These can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers and cold compresses. Eat foods that are easy to chew until the area has had time to mend. Make sure to be gentle while cleaning the area so you don’t aggravate your gums as they heal.
The benefits of Dental Implants
Aren’t sure if dental implants are the right tooth replacement option for your smile? Good news!
Our dental implant dentists are here to help. Unlike dentures, dental implants look and feel like natural teeth so you can smile with confidence. To learn if you’re a candidate for dental implants, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists.
In the meantime, here are the top five benefits of choosing dental implants to restore your smile.
Designed to Last
A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth root that’s made out of a titanium alloy. As you recover from , the implant creates a strong bond with your natural bone tissue. This creates a connection that’ll last for the rest of your life as long as you practice good oral hygiene at home and continue to see our dentists for preventive care.
While an implant can last a lifetime, you’ll need to periodically replace the crown that sits on top. During your routine checkups, our dentists will evaluate the condition of your dental crown to determine when it needs replacement. In general, a tooth crown will last about 10 years.
Improved Oral Health
Your oral health depends on more than just the condition of your teeth. It also depends on your gums and underlying bone structure. If you’ve recently lost a tooth, it’s important for you to know that you’re at an increased risk of also losing bone density in your jaw over time.
As soon as you experience tooth loss, your body will start to absorb the minerals in your jaw to use elsewhere. That’s why our dentists often recommend a tooth implant to exert pressure on the jaw and keep the bone tissue healthy.
Improved Speech
Even well-fitting dentures will slip from time to time. When this happens, you may stumble over a word and not make the best first impression. For this reason, many of our patients prefer the look and feel of dental implants. Unlike dentures, dental implants are rooted firmly in the jawbone and offer the ultimate stability while you talk. That way, you can participate in a conversation without feeling self-conscious of your smile.
Unrestricted Diet
Dentures can slip when you’re trying to eat foods that require a lot of chewing, such as steak. The good news is that you won’t face the same problems if you choose to move forward with the dental implant procedure. Dental implants function like natural teeth, which means you’ll be able to continue eating your favorite foods for years to come.
Natural Appearance
The can give you a second chance to enjoy a smile that looks and feels natural. We know that it can be difficult to avoid feeling embarrassed about your smile after experiencing tooth loss. For this reason, our dentists will work hard to help you achieve a healthier, more attractive smile.
Who Should Consider Dental Implants?
There are multiple reasons why someone in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area would need a dental implant.
You’re Missing Teeth
You’re Missing TeethAfter tooth extraction, our dental implant dentist will recommend an implant to help you maintain good oral health. Otherwise, your jawbone will start to deteriorate and eventually alter the shape of your face. The best time to get a tooth implant is immediately after extraction.
Your teeth are held in place by roots and adjacent teeth. This means that when you lose a tooth, nearby teeth are likely to tilt toward the open space, loosen, and eventually fall out. Fortunately, dental implants support nearby teeth so you can continue smiling with confidence.
Your Dentures Keep Slipping
Dentures sit on top of the gums and don’t prevent jawbone deterioration. A tooth implant, on the other hand, will exert the pressure your jawbone needs to stay healthy.
If you don’t get a tooth implant, you will eventually lose jawbone tissue and experience facial collapse. Once the jawbone deteriorates, it’ll become harder to refit dentures so you can chew without pain.
Unlike dentures, dental implants never slip. This means that you can eat, talk, and smile like you did before tooth loss. While denture teeth have to be submerged in water or denture cleanser when they aren’t in your mouth, implants can be cared for like natural teeth.
You Want to Save More Enamel
Some dental procedures require the dentist to remove more of the natural tooth than others. Take dental bridges for example. A dental bridge is an artificial tooth anchored by crowns on healthy adjacent teeth. In order to place a dental bridge, our dentist would have to remove healthy enamel from teeth on both sides of the gap.
Once enamel is removed, it can never be replaced. Our dental implant dentist prefers implants over bridges because they let you keep as much natural tooth structure as possible.
A tooth implant is also sturdier than a bridge because it’s anchored to your jaw. This added stability helps you smile, talk, and eat with confidence. Dental implants are also long-lasting, which means you’ll be able to enjoy a beautiful healthy smile for years to come.
What Dental Implants Help You Avoid
Dental implants are a great way to restore your smile and oral health. They also help prevent future problems from getting worse like further bone loss in your jaw and facial collapse. One of the best intangible benefits of a dental implant is the increased self-confidence which is priceless.
The Dental Implant Procedure
1. Consultation
First, your dentist will need to determine if you’re a good candidate for the dental implant procedure. For example, you’ll need to have sufficient bone density in your jaw to support the implant. You’ll also need a healthy immune system to undergo the .
In general, someone who smokes may not be a . This is because smoking inhibits the body’s natural ability to heal itself. But it’s important to keep in mind that each patient is different.
Ultimately, you won’t know whether you’re a candidate for dental implants until you speak with one of our dentists. They’ll be able to create a customized treatment plan to help you achieve your smile goals.
2. Implant Placement and Recovery
If you’re a candidate for dental implants, we’ll set up an appointment for your surgery. During the surgery, your dentist will make an incision in the gums and surgically embed the implant in your jawbone.
Over the next several months, the implant will fuse to your jawbone during a process called osseointegration. Your dentist will monitor your recovery during this time to ensure the implant is stable and secure before placing the crown over top.
3. Crown Placement
As the final step, we’ll place an abutment and crown over your dental implant. This will give you the full appearance and function of a natural tooth.
Your dentist will ensure that the crown is the proper size, shape, and shade to match the rest of your smile. They’ll also make sure that you’re able to bite down properly with your new dental crown. That way, you’ll be able to eat, smile, and talk with confidence.
4. Aftercare
Your dental implants will last longer if you practice good dental hygiene. This means brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time. You’ll also need to floss once a day to remove any plaque or food particles that could be hiding between teeth.
We also recommend that you continue seeing your dentist for preventive care at least every 6 months. That way, we can continue to monitor your oral health and help you maintain a healthy smile.
Talk to an Robinson Dental expert about Dental Implants
If you're interested in Dental Implants, please feel free to reach out to any of our offices in the Grand Rapids area: Cascade MI, Coopersville MI, Caledonia MI, or Wayland MI. You can also call us at 1-888-WE-C-U-NOW, or request an appointment on our appointment scheduling page. We hope to hear from you soon!
Additional Dental Implant Resources
For additional information on Dental Implants, check out our blog.
