Are you missing one or more teeth? If so, it’s time to schedule a consultation with Dr. Langellier. During your appointment, our dentist will help you explore your tooth replacement options. Our dental practice in Wyoming, MI, offers dental implants and dentures to patients with tooth loss.
Here’s what you need to know.
A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth root that’s made out of a titanium alloy. Since the implant is biocompatible with your jaw, it’ll fuse to the bone over the course of several months. This process is called osseointegration.
During this time, Dr. Langellier will check in on your progress to ensure that everything is going smoothly. He’ll also be more than happy to answer any of your questions or concerns during the dental implant process.
Once the implant has formed a secure attachment with your jawbone, Dr. Langellier will place an abutment and crown over top. Together, the implant, abutment, and crown will give you the full function and appearance of a natural tooth.
Unlike dentures, dental implants are embedded in your jawbone. This means that your tooth will have the ultimate stability while you eat, chew, talk, laugh, and smile. You’ll never have to worry about your tooth replacement slipping at an inopportune moment.
Another advantage of dental implants is that they help prevent bone loss in the jaw. As soon as you lose a tooth, your body will start to absorb the minerals in your jaw to use elsewhere. But a dental implant tricks your body into thinking the tooth root is still there, which stops jawbone deterioration in its tracks.
If left untreated, bone loss in the jaw can reduce the support for your remaining teeth. It can also lead to a condition called facial collapse, which can make wearing dentures difficult or uncomfortable. Facial collapse will also alter the shape of the face, creating a more sunken appearance.
Dentures are removable teeth that have a pink acrylic base to match your gums. Unlike dental implants, dentures sit on top of your gums. For this reason, it’s important that you always remove your dentures before you go to sleep at night so your gums have a chance to rest.
When you remove your dentures, you’ll need to submerge them in a glass of water or denture cleaner. Otherwise, they’ll dry out, crack, and warp. Like natural teeth, you’ll need to keep your dentures wet at all times.
If you feel your full or partial dentures slipping in public, gently bite down and swallow to move them back into place. Your dentures should have a comfortable fit, but you may also use a denture adhesive for added security and peace of mind.
In general, dentures are less expensive than dental implants. But this will ultimately depend on the patient’s budget and dental insurance coverage.
Dr. Eric Langellier is an experienced family dentist in Wyoming, MI. He’s also accepting new patients and would be more than happy to welcome you to our practice.
To request 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 reach out to you soon.