Have questions about dental implants? Our dental implant dentist in Holly, MI, is ready to help! Unlike other tooth replacement options, dental implants help prevent bone loss in the jaw so you can enjoy a healthy smile for life. Dr. Bandy is also one of the only dentists in the area that places dental implants and restorations.
Here’s what else you need to know about the .
A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth root that’s made out of a titanium alloy. During the dental implant procedure, Dr. Bandy will place the implant in the jawbone. Over the course of several months, the implant will then fuse to the bone. This creates a solid foundation for the abutment and dental crown, which Dr. Bandy will place at a later date.
Together, the implant, abutment, and crown will give you the full look and function of a natural tooth.
Once you lose a tooth, your body starts to absorb the minerals in your jaw to use elsewhere. While this is incredibly resourceful, it can also impact your oral health in the long run and make it difficult to wear dentures.
A dental implant exerts pressure on your jawbone, which tricks the body into thinking your tooth is still there. This allows you to avoid jawbone deterioration, which is an unfortunate side effect of tooth loss.
Your teeth are held in place by the surrounding jawbone, the gums, the roots, and adjacent teeth. This means that once you lose one tooth, your risk for losing more increases. If you don’t replace the tooth roots, the body will start to absorb minerals in your jaw. Likewise, the teeth next to the empty socket will start to drift toward the open space.
A dental implant solves both problems by preventing further bone loss in the jaw and supporting the adjacent teeth.
Dentures sit on top of the gums while dental implants are fused to your jawbone. This makes a world of difference when it comes to the stability of your prosthetic teeth.
Compared to other , dental implants feel the most like natural teeth. They’ll never slip when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or make any other sudden movement. Instead, you can always count on your tooth implant staying in place as you go about your day.
Dentures can’t stop jawbone deterioration because they sit on top of your gums. That’s why people who have worn dentures for years may experience bone loss. If left untreated, jawbone deterioration can lead to a condition called facial collapse.
Facial collapse alters the shape of your face and can give you a sunken appearance. It can also make it uncomfortable or difficult to wear your dentures. For this reason, we always like to let our patients know about all their tooth replacement options before they make a decision.
Learn More:Are Dental Implants Better Than Dentures? →
In general, most people are candidates for dental implants. However, to truly determine if you’re eligible for dental implant surgery, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bandy. During your initial consultation, he’ll be able to evaluate the density and overall health of your jawbone.
The jawbone must be in good enough condition to accommodate dental implant placement. If it isn’t, Dr. Bandy may suggest getting a bone graft to build up the jaw. Once you’ve healed from getting a bone graft, you may then become a candidate for the dental implant procedure.
Dr. David Bandy is an experienced dental implant dentist in Holly, MI. He’s also accepting new patients and would be more than happy to restore your smile after tooth loss. To request an appointment, please call Bandy Dental at (248) 634-9251. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.
This blog post has been updated.
