Dental Implants
Dental Implants
Dental Implants in Plainwell, MI
Implant dentistry is one of the most significant technological advances of the last century, with dental implants becoming the gold standard for replacing missing teeth. Implant restorations provide unmatched comfort, function, and aesthetics comparable to your natural teeth. Visit Great Lakes Dentures and Implants to get your smile back on track!
What Are Dental Implants?
Implants are titanium, screw-shaped rods that replace missing tooth roots to provide a stable and secure foundation for one or more replacement teeth. Once in place, your implant restoration will fully restore your smile’s function and aesthetics.
What Are the Types of Implant Restorations?
Here’s a look at the types of implant restorations offered at Great Lakes Dentures and Implants:
- Single Tooth Implants: A dental crown placed on a dental implant can replace a missing tooth, restoring its function and incredibly natural appearance.
- Implant-Supported Bridges: Unlike traditional bridges that rely on crowns on natural teeth for support, implant-supported bridges are attached to implants, replacing two or more neighboring teeth with superior function and stability.
- Fixed Dentures: Also known as All-on-4s, these fixed implant restorations offer a top-tier tooth replacement option with unmatched comfort, stability, and durability.
- Implant-Supported Dentures: These removable implant restorations snap onto dental implants, providing an incredibly stable and durable alternative to traditional removable dentures.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
Implants are the best choice for replacing missing teeth. They are the only restorations that mimic the function of natural tooth roots, preventing bone loss and enhancing your oral health. If you’re replacing one or a few of your missing teeth, your implant restorations will prevent the adjacent teeth from shifting into the space, which may otherwise lead to crooked teeth and problems with the bite. Moreover, leaving a gap in your smile can act as a trap for bacteria and food debris, leading to tooth decay and gum disease.
Dental implant restorations help support your facial muscles and structure, preventing sagging. Your new replacement teeth will restore your chewing power, so you can eat all our favorite foods again without any restrictions. Best of all, your replacement tooth or teeth can last a lifetime with proper care!
Are Dental Implants Right for You?
To qualify for dental implants, you need to be in good oral and overall health, be free of periodontal disease, and be willing to maintain meticulous oral hygiene habits. Most implant restorations require adequate bone mass for the procedure’s success. If you’ve been missing one or more teeth for some time and suffered bone loss in the area, Dr. McGuire may recommend a bone grafting procedure to allow you to enjoy the many benefits of implant dentistry.
What Is the Dental Implant Procedure?
Dr. McGuire will place your titanium tooth root replacement into the jawbone and wait for the gum and bone tissue to heal. Over the next several months, the implant will fuse to the bone in a process called osseointegration. That provides a stable foundation to support your new replacement teeth. After the area heals, Dr. McGuire will secure a connector called an abutment to the implant and, once again, wait for the soft tissues to heal.
While waiting for healing, Dr. McGuire will create an implant restoration to replace one, some, or all of your missing teeth, fully restoring your healthy, functional smile. Even though the process is lengthy, most patients experience minimal disruption in their daily lives and find the incredible results well worth their time and effort.
How Should You Care for Implant Restorations?
Caring for dental implant restorations is no different from caring for your natural teeth. We recommend regular brushing and flossing and maintaining your twice-a-year dental exams and cleanings. Our team will monitor your oral health and restorations to ensure your smile stays in tip-top shape.
Dental Implants Near Me
Visit Great Lakes Dentures and Implants to learn more about our tooth replacement options, including dental implants. Dr. McGuire and his team are committed to providing quality, durable restorations for long-term healthy smiles. Make sure to ask us about our affordable, same-day services utilizing cutting-edge digital dentistry. We invite you to contact our Plainwell office for an appointment or request one online today!