Wondering if you’re a candidate for dental implants? Have questions about what you can expect during the dental implant process? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Our dentist in Wyoming, Michigan, would be more than happy to answer all your questions and create a treatment plan that’s tailored to your oral health needs.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we get about dental implants. If your question doesn’t appear in this blog post, call Bowtie Dental and we’d be more than happy to help you schedule a consultation with Dr. Langellier.
A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth root that’s made out of a titanium alloy. During oral surgery, the doctor places the implant deep in the jawbone. Over the next several months, this implant will fuse to the bone and create a solid foundation for the abutment and crown to sit over top. Together, the implant, abutment, and crown give you the full appearance and function of a natural tooth.
The main advantage of choosing dental implants is that they’re fused to the jawbone. This provides you the ultimate stability as you eat, talk, laugh, and smile. Even well-fitting dentures will slip from time to time when you make an abrupt movement, such as sneeze or cough. While you can discreetly correct slipping dentures by gently biting down and swallowing, many patients would prefer to avoid this hassle altogether.
Since dentures sit on top of your gums, they don’t prevent jawbone deterioration. But a dental implant exerts pressure on your jawbone, replacing the function of a natural tooth. This prevents the body from absorbing the minerals in your jaw to use elsewhere after tooth loss.
Learn More: Dental Implants vs. Dentures →
You may be a candidate for dental implants if you have one or more missing teeth. But to know for sure, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with our dentist in Wyoming, Michigan.
In general, you may be a candidate for dental implants if you have healthy gums and enough bone density in your jaw to support the titanium screw. The ideal patient would also be a non-smoker since smoking inhibits your body’s natural healing ability after dental implant surgery.
Take care of dental implants as you would natural teeth. This means brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes at a time. You should also floss to remove any food particles or plaque hiding between teeth.
In general, your dental implants can last for decades if you practice good oral hygiene and continue seeing our Wyoming dentist for preventive care.
Dr. Eric Langellier is an experienced dental implant dentist in Wyoming, Michigan. He’s also accepting new patients and would be more than happy to help you explore your tooth replacement options. To schedule an appointment, please call Bowtie Dental at (616) 532-9003. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will get back to you soon.