Do you ever feel self-conscious about missing teeth? Is it difficult to eat your favorite foods, such as steak or corn on the cob? If so, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our dental implant dentists in Ann Arbor, MI. They’d be more than happy to determine if you’re a candidate for dental implants.
Dental Implants FAQ
In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about this popular tooth replacement option.
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth root that’s made out of a titanium alloy. This titanium alloy is biocompatible and will fuse to your jawbone during a months-long process called osseointegration.
Once osseointegration is complete, one of our dentists will place a permanent dental crown over top to give you the full appearance and function of a natural tooth.
Unlike dentures that sit on top of your gums, a tooth implant is embedded in the jawbone. This gives you the ultimate stability while you eat, laugh, talk, and smile.
What are the Advantages of Dental Implants?
Dental implants are embedded in the jawbone. This tricks your body into thinking that your tooth is still there. Otherwise, the body would notice the missing tooth and start to absorb the minerals in your jaw to use elsewhere.
The body is very resourceful, but this resourcefulness can lead to facial collapse if left untreated. That’s why we recommend reaching out to one of our dentists as soon as possible after tooth loss.
Another advantage of dental implants is that they look and feel like natural teeth. While dentists can achieve great aesthetic results with dentures, it doesn’t compare to the results you can get with dental implants.
Unlike dentures, dental implants will never slip if you cough, sneeze, smile, or make any other sudden movement. Instead, they stay in place as you go about your day so you can always feel confident. They’re a stable tooth replacement option, which means you can continue eating normally with dental implants.
Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
You may be a if you’ve recently lost a tooth. But even if it’s been a few months or years, we still encourage you to reach out to our implant dentists in Ann Arbor, MI. During your appointment, they’ll be able to determine if you’re a candidate for the dental implant procedure.
In general, candidates for dental implants must have sufficient bone density in the jaws to support the implant. If you’ve suffered bone loss in your jaw, our dentists may recommend a or an alternative procedure to replace the tooth.
It’s also preferred that candidates be non-smokers. This is because smoking inhibits the body’s natural ability to heal itself, especially after the dental implant procedure.
Does Dental Implant Surgery Hurt?
You’ll be given local anesthetic during your procedure. That way, you won’t experience any pain or discomfort during dental implant surgery. Once the implant is placed in your jawbone, you’ll also receive specific aftercare instructions so you can set yourself up for success during the healing process.
Schedule a Dental Implant Consultation
Our dental implant dentists in Ann Arbor, MI, are accepting new patients and would be more than happy to help you explore your tooth replacement options. To request an appointment, please call Enhance Family Dentistry & Orthodontics at (734) 821-7676. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our office will reach out to you soon.
This blog post has been updated.
