How Do You Know If You Need Dental Implants?

Have you lost one or several teeth? If so, it’s time to request an appointment with our dental implant dentist in Plymouth, MI. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root (typically made of titanium) used to support a crown. Since dental implants are fused to the jawbone, they’re much more stable than other tooth replacement options.

1. You Wear Dentures

Dentures sit on top of the gums and don’t prevent jawbone deterioration. A tooth implant, on the other hand, will exert pressure your jawbone needs to stay healthy. If you don’t get a tooth implant, you will eventually lose jawbone tissue and experience facial collapse. Once the jawbone deteriorates, it’ll become harder to refit dentures so you can chew without pain.

Unlike dentures, dental implants never slip. This means that you can eat, talk, and smile like you did before tooth loss. While denture teeth have to be submerged in water or denture cleanser when they aren’t in your mouth, implants can be cared for like natural teeth.

2. You’re Considering a Dental Bridge

Like the name suggests, a dental bridge “bridges” the gap left by a missing tooth. A bridge is comprised of an artificial tooth anchored by crowns on healthy adjacent teeth. In order to place a dental bridge, our dentist would have to remove healthy enamel from teeth on both sides of the gap.

Once enamel is removed, it can never be replaced. Our dental implant dentist prefers implants over bridges because they let you keep as much natural tooth structure as possible.

A tooth implant is sturdier than a bridge because it’s anchored to your jaw. This added stability helps you smile, talk, and eat with confidence. Dental implants are also long-lasting, which means you’ll be able to enjoy a beautiful healthy smile for years to come.

3. You Have Missing Teeth

After tooth extraction, our dental implant dentist will recommend an implant to help you maintain good oral health. Otherwise, your jawbone will start to deteriorate and eventually alter the shape of your face. The best time to get a tooth implant is immediately after extraction.

Your teeth are held in place by roots and adjacent teeth. This means that when you lose a tooth, nearby teeth are likely to tilt toward the open space, loosen, and eventually fall out. Fortunately, dental implants support nearby teeth so you can continue smiling with confidence.

Dental implants help you avoid:

Bone loss in jaw
Facial collapse
Further tooth loss
Ill-fitting dentures
Feeling self-conscious about your smile

We understand that you must have a lot of questions about the dental implant procedure. This is why we recommend scheduling a consultation with our dental implant dentist.