Dental implants are prosthetic tooth roots that are made of a titanium alloy. Our dental implant dentists in Ann Arbor, MI, may recommend this procedure if you recently lost a tooth due to injury or decay. We embed the implant into the jaw to prevent bone loss and to later support an abutment and crown.
What Are Dental Implants?
The implant, abutment, and crown fit together to give you the look and function of a natural tooth.
Candidates for Dental Implants
About , according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. About 500,000 more people receive dental implants each year. Could you be next?
To be a candidate for the dental implant procedure, you’ll need healthy gums and a strong immune system. You’ll also need to have sufficient jawbone density to support dental implants. Otherwise, our dentists may recommend you get a bone graft.
It would also help if you were a non-smoker. This is because smoking hinders the body’s ability to heal after surgery. Our dentists will need to evaluate your oral health before determining if you’re a candidate for dental implants.
What to Expect
Our dentists will help you understand your options for replacing missing teeth. If we determine you’re a , we’ll set up a date for the procedure.
The dentist will administer anesthesia so you won’t feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure. Once you’re numb, the dentist will cut through the gum tissue to access the underlying jawbone. The tooth implant will then be inserted into the jawbone where it will fuse over the next several months during a process called osseointegration.
After surgery, we’ll monitor your progress to make sure the implant fuses properly to your jawbone. Once osseointegration is complete, we’ll place the abutment and crown over your dental implant to give you the appearance and function of a natural tooth.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Parts of a dental implant: implant (bottom), abutment (middle), and crown (top)
A dental implant provides more stability than other tooth replacement options because it’s embedded deep in your jawbone. For this reason, many of our patients have reported having better confidence while they eat, talk, and smile.
Unlike dentures, tooth implants exert enough pressure on your jaw to keep the bone tissue healthy. Your body is able to sense missing teeth. When this happens, your body starts to absorb minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere. A tooth implant prevents jawbone deterioration, as well as facial collapse, so you can maintain good oral health and look years younger.
Many patients benefit greatly from replacing several teeth with dental implants. Unlike conventional dentures, dental implants don’t slip when you talk, eat, and smile. Many of our patients also appreciate that implants look and feel like natural teeth.
Schedule an Appointment with Us
We’re accepting new patients! To request an appointment with Enhance Family Dentistry & Orthodontics, call (734) 821-7676. We’ll set up your consultation with one of our , so you can ask questions and learn about your next steps. We hope to hear from you soon!
Learn More About Dental Implants
- Dental Implants FAQ →
- Advantages of Dental Implants →
- Why Dental Implants are Better Than Dentures →
This blog post has been updated.
