Dental Implants

Dental Implants in Clinton Twp, MI

A dental implant is essentially a metallic root that replaces a natural tooth. Michael E. Simony, D.D.S. places an implant into a location in your jaw where it would be favorable to have a crown or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason. While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework, since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support. It is actually considered more conservative for this reason.

Dental implants are restored with crowns and are so natural-looking and feeling; you may forget you ever lost a tooth. Your confidence about your teeth affects how you look and how you feel, both personally and professionally. Perhaps you hide your smile because of spaces from missing teeth. Maybe your dentures don’t feel secure. Perhaps you have difficulty chewing. If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to smile, speak and eat again with comfort and confidence, there is good news – dental implants are teeth that can look and feel just like your own! Under proper conditions, such as placement by our office and diligent patient maintenance, implants can last a lifetime. Long-term studies continue to show improving success rates for implants.

The ideal candidate for a dental implant is in good general and oral health. Adequate bone in your jaw is needed to support the implant, and the best candidates have healthy gum tissues that are free of periodontal disease.

What Dental Implants Can Do

Replace one or more teeth without affecting bordering teeth.
Support a bridge and eliminate the need for a removable partial denture.
Provide support for a denture, making it more secure and comfortable.

Types Of Implants In Use Today

Endosteal (in the bone): This is the most commonly used type of implant. The various types include screws, cylinders or blades surgically placed into the jawbone. Each implant holds one or more prosthetic teeth. This type of implant is generally used as an alternative for patients with bridges or removable dentures.

Subperiosteal (on the bone): These are placed on top of the jaw with the metal framework’s posts protruding through the gum to hold the prosthesis. These types of implants are used for patients who are unable to wear conventional dentures and who have minimal bone height.

Multiple Tooth Dental Implant Replacement Solutions

Just like a single tooth replacement, dental implants provide a more permanent healthier solution for tooth replacement than other alternate treatment options. When a patient has one or more teeth that are missing; the common treatment options are a tooth supported bridge, removable partial dentures or an implant supported bridge. In a multi-tooth replacement procedure, the benefits of a dental implant supported bridge become much more obvious as a more permanent and functional solution to tooth lose than the alternatives.

Implant Supported Bridge vs. Tooth Supported Bridge

Just like in single tooth replacement procedures, a tooth supported bridge uses the adjacent teeth to support the replacement crown. This is done by grinding down the supporting teeth into a peg that is designed to hold the cemented bridge into place. Over time, this procedure often leads to additional issues for the supporting teeth including decay, root canals and the overall failure of the bridge. An implant supported bridge, on the other hand, utilizes the jaw bone directly under the missing tooth. This process allows the patient to maintain their existing jaw bone structure while promoting bone growth near the implant and the adjacent teeth. Another major benefit to an implant supported bridge is that the surrounding teeth are left in their natural state which significantly reduces the need for future dental work related to the replacement procedure.

Implant Supported Bridge vs. Removable Partial Dentures

The major downside to a removable partial denture is that since the jawbone underneath the missing natural teeth is no longer needed or utilized; this procedure actually accelerates the bone resorption process which leads to more rapid bone lose. In addition to bone lose underneath the missing teeth, the clasps used to hold the partial denture in place applies extreme pressure on the gums and the remaining natural teeth that they attach to. This process can weaken the jawbone and potentially lead to loss of additional teeth.

Whereas, in the same case as individually placed dental implants, an implant supported bridge utilizes the existing jawbone to support the replacement crowns. The process not only eliminates bone loss but it is known to stimulate additional bone growth in the areas where the natural missing teeth were. Another benefit in utilizing the existing jaw bone for support is that the surrounding healthy natural teeth remain and there is no unnecessary discomfort.

The Advantages of an Implant Supported Bridge Over Other Traditional Replacement Options:

A much more natural look, feel and function
A stronger bite that provides chewing that is much closer to a natural tooth
Easier maintenance and cleaning
They are much more comfortable and stable than partial dentures
Adjacent natural teeth are not compromised (ground down into peg shapes or loosened)
Dental implants virtually stop the bone resorption process (deterioration)
The integrity of the facial structures are maintained (no sagging jaw line)

If you would like to know more about the restorative dental care that dental implants provide, please feel free to call at (586) 263-9300 or send us an email at [email protected].

41700 Hayes Rd. Suite D

(586) 263-9300

Dental Implants

Dental Implants in Clinton Twp, MI

Multiple Tooth Dental Implant Replacement Solutions

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