Dental Implants: The Best Solution for Replacing Missing Teeth at Schaefer Dental Group
Of all the ways modern dentistry has to replace missing teeth, dental implants are by far the best. There is no tooth-replacement option that will give you a longer-lasting result. Implants also help preserve tooth-supporting bone that naturally deteriorates when a tooth is lost. Loss of bone is one of the major hidden consequences of losing teeth, which implants prevent.
A dental implant most often takes the form of a small, screw-shaped titanium post that replaces the root-part of a missing tooth. The surgical procedure used to place an implant is actually quite minor and routine, requiring only local anesthesia in most cases. After a healing period, the implant is topped with a lifelike crown custom-made to match your existing natural teeth. Implants have a documented success rate of over 95%, which is significantly higher than any other tooth-replacement option. Schaefer Dental Group offers comprehensive implant solutions in Lansing, Michigan.
How Implants Work
During a minor surgical procedure, your dental implant is inserted directly into the jawbone in the space vacated by the missing tooth. It will then be left to heal for a period of months before the final crown is attached. During this healing period, the implant actually fuses to the bone surrounding it, providing unmatched stability.
Tooth Replacement Options Using Dental Implants
Implants can replace missing teeth in a variety of ways:
- Replace One Tooth: A single implant is inserted to replace the root, with a custom crown on top. This is the best long-term investment, as an implant will never decay or need root canal treatment.
- Replace Multiple Teeth: Implants can act as supports for fixed bridgework. For example, two implants can support three missing teeth, eliminating the need to use and potentially damage your remaining natural teeth as bridge supports.
- Replace All Teeth Permanently: Implants can support an entire arch of replacement teeth that are fixed into the mouth and are never removed. Sometimes this can be achieved with as few as 4 implants. Implant-supported fixed teeth protect your jawbone, won’t slip, and should last a lifetime.
- Support Removable Dentures: Implants can make removable dentures more comfortable and effective. Attaching a removable denture onto implants transfers pressure into the bone structure, preventing the dentures from slipping while you eat and speak, and preserving the bone directly beneath them.
Implant Care and Maintenance
Once successfully fused, an implant can fail due to only two main reasons: poor oral hygiene or excessive biting forces.
- Hygiene: Daily flossing and brushing, along with regular professional cleanings, are essential to prevent a bacterial infection called peri-implantitis.
- Protection: Excessive biting forces from clenching or grinding (bruxism) can damage implants. If you have this habit, a nightguard will be recommended to protect your long-term investment.
Implants are a long-term investment in your smile, your health, and your well-being, so it’s best to protect your investment.