Dental Implants - Shelby Township

Dental Implants

Dental implants are the next best thing to your natural tooth. Dental implants accompanied with porcelain crowns are practically indistinguishable from your natural teeth and function as your natural teeth would. Implants are titanium cylinders that are surgically inserted into the bone of the jaw to replace missing teeth. By replacing the roots of a missing tooth, we help to fend off the bone loss which occurs when a tooth is lost.

• Why consider dental implants?
  Whenever you lose a tooth, the biting forces change on the teeth next to the space, causing them to shift. Opposing teeth may even begin to extrude out of the socket, which means they too could eventually be lost. Also, as your bite changes, it gets more difficult to chew your food, and you may suffer damage to your jaw joint. It’s also much harder to clean teeth that have shifted; harmful plaque and tartar collect in the new hard-to-reach places created by the shifting, causing tooth decay and periodontal disease. In addition, implants will not alter how you chew, speak or change your oral hygiene routine.
• Why choose an implant over a bridge?
  Implants can be cared the same way as your nature teeth. Bridges require additional cleaning as you will have a slight space between your prosthetic tooth and gums in which bacteria can harbor and food to get trapped. This space if not cleaned well can lead to decay and potentially the loss of the adjacent teeth which supported the bridge. Furthermore, dental implants are independent and do not require us to alter the structure of adjacent teeth, therefore, maintaining their strength and integrity.
• How long is the process?
  Start-to-finish, the procedure may require several months to complete because it can take about three to four months for the dental implants to fuse to your bone tissue through a process called osseointegration. A dental implant won’t work for you if you aren’t in good general health. Your gums and jawbone must be healthy enough to support the implant, and you must be meticulous about your daily home care routine. You’ll also need to visit us up to four times a year for cleanings.
• Who is a good dental implant candidate?
  If you’re interested in replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant, we will perform a thorough evaluation to determine whether your health and lifestyle make you a good candidate for this relatively new approach to restorative dentistry.
• Who is a not a good dental implant candidate?
  If you suffer from a chronic illness such as diabetes, as this can interfere with healing, or if you are a smoker, you may not be a good candidate for a dental implant; smokers are at greater risk for gum disease, and gum disease weakens the bone and soft tissue needed to support the implant.
• Does insurance cover implants?
  Each dental insurance plan is different, but yes, it is possible that your dental insurance plan may have some coverage for dental implants. Once you become a patient with us our insurance coordinator can help you map out what coverage you have to make the most of the dental insurance plan.

Implants to Aid Dentures

If you have a denture you probably know how hard it can be to eat comfortably. Over time the bone that once held your teeth in place recedes causing dentures to become loose and floppy. Even worse, in the case of lower dentures the nerves in the lower jaw that can end up on the surface of the bone and cause pain when you bite down. Using dental implants to support your denture will help keep the pressure off the bone and nerves. By securing your denture with dental implants can make a world of difference, allowing you to eat, talk, laugh, and smile with confidence again while helping to reduce bone loss in the jaw that continues once teeth have been removed. Implants are one of the best ways to avoid common problems associated with traditional dentures. One way to use implants is to connect the implants with a bar that then put clips into a new denture. These clips snap onto the bar and keep the denture from rocking and shifting. The denture can still be removed at home for easy access and cleaning of the dental implants and bar.

Permanent Implant Retained Denture

Permanent implant retained dentures are dentures that can now be supported by implants and are more stable than your traditional denture as they are “screwed” into the implants. This option is great for patients looking for a fresh start and doesn’t want removable dentures. Permanent implant retained dentures are artistically crafted to look and feel realistic so no one will ever know they are not your natural teeth. Unlike traditional dentures, they don’t require covering the palate, allowing you to eat and taste food normally. Enjoy life with the confidence to laugh, smile and eat whatever you want.

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The Gentle Dentist 15055 22 Mile Rd. Suite #2 Shelby Township, MI 48315 Phone: (586) 247-3500

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