Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Are you self-conscious when you smile because of missing one or more of your teeth? If so, you may want to consider dental implants, today’s leading tooth replacement solution. Your trusted team at Great Lakes Dentures and Implants is ready to guide you through the process with compassion, skill, and expertise. Visit our Plainwell practice to learn more about dental implants and determine if they are right for you. 

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are screw-shaped titanium posts that act as artificial tooth roots. They provide a stable foundation to support one or more replacement teeth, with unmatched stability, function, durability, and aesthetics. Your implant restoration will look just like any of your natural teeth, delivering a seamless smile.  

Who Is a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Here’s a look at an ideal candidate for implant dentistry: 

• Has good oral health, healthy gums, and is free from periodontal disease
• Is healthy and free of conditions that interfere with healing
• Has adequate bone density in the area to support an implant
• Is willing to maintain good oral hygiene practices to ensure the implant’s success

If you have bone loss in the area, that doesn’t necessarily exclude you as a candidate. Dr. McGuire may recommend a bone grafting procedure to build up the bone and ensure you are a good candidate for dental implant restoration. 

What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?

Dental implants are the gold standard for tooth replacement today. They are the only available restorations that act like tooth roots, stimulating the bone in the area and preventing bone loss. Placing dental implants can also prevent teeth from shifting toward the gap, lowering your risk of crooked teeth, problems with the bite, tooth decay, and gum disease. 

Dental implants not only improve your oral health but also enhance your quality of life. Once in place, your implant restoration will support your facial structure, restoring your youthful appearance. You’ll speak clearly and enjoy all the foods you love without any restrictions. Best of all, you’ll smile with confidence once again! With proper care, your dental implant restorations can last a lifetime.

What Are the Types of Implant Restorations?

At Great Lakes Dentures and Implants, we proudly offer the following implant restorations: 

• Single Tooth Implants: A single tooth implant is a dental crown placed on a single implant to restore a missing tooth’s form and function with incredibly natural looking and feeling results. 
• Implant-Supported Bridges: Implant-supported bridges rely on implants for support, providing a comfortable, stable, and functional solution for replacing two or more adjacent teeth. 
• Implant-Supported Dentures: Implant-supported dentures are removable restorations that snap onto implants for support, providing superior stability, function, and durability. 
• Fixed Implant Dentures: These top-tier fixed implant restorations, also known as All-on-4s, provide unmatched results comparable to having healthy, natural teeth. 

What Is the Dental Implant Procedure?

Dr. McGuire will start the implant process by placing a titanium implant into the jawbone. The implant will fuse to the bone in a process known as osseointegration over the next few months, providing a stable foundation for your replacement teeth. 

After the area heals, Dr. McGuire will attach a connector called an abutment to your implant and wait for the soft tissues to heal. The last step is creating your implant restoration that will deliver a healthy, beautiful, and functional smile. 

Implant Dentistry Near Me in Plainwell, MI

If you’re looking for solutions to replace some or all of your missing teeth, contact Great Lakes Dentures and Implants today. Dr. McGuire will evaluate your unique needs and recommend the best solution to restore your healthy, functional smile. We invite you to call us at 269-888-6686 to schedule your appointment or request one online today!