What are dental implants?
Dental implants are tooth replacements that are specially designed to look and function just like natural teeth. When you lose a tooth, or you have been missing teeth for an extended period, it can cause issues with your ability to eat, speak, and smile. Dental implants can replace your missing tooth or teeth all the way down to the root to ensure that your oral function and your beautiful smile are restored.
The three parts of a dental implant include the following:
- The implant post is a medical-grade titanium screw that takes the place of your tooth root. It is placed into the tooth socket and given time to heal and fuse with the jaw bone. Once healed, the implant post is the support for the rest of the restoration.
- The abutment is the connector piece that attaches the implant post to your prosthesis to ensure your restoration is secure.
- The prosthesis or crown is the final piece of the implant restoration. Depending on how many teeth you are replacing, this final piece may be a single crown, a multi-tooth bridge, or a full-arch fixed denture. In any scenario, the prosthesis will be custom-designed to match your natural teeth and preferences.
Why dental implants?
When you have lost a permanent tooth, or you need to have one extracted, there are many options for tooth replacement available at our office in Adrian, MI. We provide choices that will meet all our patients’ needs, including tooth-supported bridges, partial and full removable dentures, and a variety of dental implant restorations.
Choosing dental implants is the best choice for your overall oral health, and they are the most cost-effective and long-term solution. Dental implants are the only replacement solution that maintains your oral health and prevent the issues often associated with tooth loss. Your jaw bone relies on the stimulation from chewing food to remain healthy, so when you are missing teeth and cannot chew properly, the jaw bone quickly begins deteriorating. Dental implants are the only replacement option that restores your tooth down to the root, which means once your implant post integrates with your jaw bone, it will remain stimulated and healthy.
Other replacement options, such as tooth-supported bridges and partial or full dentures, are less permanent and can contribute to other health problems. Tooth-supported bridges require the grinding down of adjacent teeth for attachment, which means you must sacrifice healthy teeth to restore a tooth. Dentures often slip, cause discomfort and sore spots, and can get food stuck underneath, causing decay. Dental implants mimic the exact anatomy of your natural teeth; consequently, you won’t have to worry about relying on other teeth for support or having issues with food. With dental implants, you can eat whatever you want and care for them like any other teeth.
Are dental implants the right choice for me?
One of the many great things about dental implants is that they can be used in a range of restoration procedures at our office in Adrian, MI. A single dental implant can replace a missing tooth, several dental implants can be used to replace multiple missing teeth, or dental implants can even be used to support bridges and full fixed dentures (All-on-4® Treatment Concept). The best way to find out if any of these dental implant restorations are right for you is to visit our Adrian, MI, office for a consultation. At your consultation, we will perform a thorough oral exam, take detailed 3D and X-ray images, and evaluate your health history before developing a personalized treatment plan. Our doctors have undergone years of training and are the highest qualified professionals to develop and perform dental implant restorations.
Dental Implants in Adrian, MI
If you’d like to know more about dental implants and the variety of restorations available at our office, please contact us at Michigan Oral Surgeons for a consultation. Our friendly team would be happy to answer any of your questions. Our goal is to help you get back to a normal life where you can eat whatever you want and smile with confidence.