Dental Implants – Muskegon, MI
Replacement Teeth That Look
& Feel Completely Natural
Tooth loss happens to most people at some point in their lives. When you lose a crucial portion of your smile, it can cause your confidence to plummet and make everyday tasks, like eating and speaking, difficult. Dental implants in Muskegon are a modern, advanced tooth replacement treatment that allow patients to enjoy a smile that looks and feels just like their home-grown one. Our dental office is able to complete the entire procedure for replacing missing teeth with dental implants in our Muskegon, MI dnetal office, from beginning to end, so you’ll be able to stick with the same team of professionals you trust throughout the entire process.
Why Choose Healthy Smiles Dental Care for Dental Implants?
- Periodontal Specialist Trained to Place Dental Implants
- All-on-4 Implant-Retained Dentures Available
- Mini Dental Implants Available
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a titanium post that is placed below the gumline to restore the root of any number of missing teeth. Due to its biocompatible features, it’s able to fuse with the jawbone through a natural process called osseointegration. This provides necessary stimulation and blood flow to the area, preventing it from deteriorating. Once the healing period is complete, we’ll attach a small connector piece, called an abutment, to the implant. This will secure the dental crown, bridge, or denture and complete your smile.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Roughly half a million dental implants get placed each year! What is the reason behind their blossoming popularity? Since dental implants replace both the roots and crowns of lost teeth, they provide a number of unique advantages that traditional dental restorations simply cannot provide. They are the most natural-feeling, longest-lasting tooth replacement treatment that modern dentistry has to offer. Here are just a few of the benefits of dental implants in Muskegon that you can look forward to.
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Day-to-Day Benefits
Once your implants are placed and restored, they can improve your everyday life by allowing you to:
- Eat all of your favorite foods – At most, a traditional denture only brings back about 20% of your original chewing power. It also covers the roof of your mouth, interfering with your sense of taste. Dental implants replenish most of your biting force and do not cover your palate, letting you chew and taste your favorite foods with ease.
- Smile with confidence – Implant restorations are designed to complement your unique facial structure and resemble the pearly whites you once had. You can also trust that unlike conventional dentures, implant-supported teeth will never slip out of place because they are secured in your jaw.
- Speak clearly – Dentures don’t prevent the jawbone from deteriorating after tooth loss in the way that dental implants in Muskegon do. Eventually, they lose their snug fit and slide around in the mouth. This may cause you to slur your words or produce a clicking sound when trying to talk. Implant-retained teeth will remain firmly in place, resulting in clear speech.
- Enjoy easy maintenance – With the exception of a removable implant denture, dental implant restorations can be cared for through regular brushing and flossing, just like natural teeth.
Health Benefits
Dental implants offer some outstanding oral health benefits, including:
- Preventing jawbone loss – When a tooth is missing, that area of the jawbone deteriorates from lack of stimulation. Support for your remaining teeth may weaken, increasing your risk of additional tooth loss. Luckily, dental implants stimulate the jawbone just like natural teeth do.
- Stabilizing adjacent teeth – An empty space from a missing tooth can cause the surrounding teeth to shift toward the gap, leading to orthodontic issues, TMJ disorder, chewing problems, and difficulties replacing the lost tooth later on. Dental implants fill the gap and keep your remaining teeth stable.
- Minimizing the risk of gum disease – Food particles can get trapped in gaps between teeth, attracting bacteria that cause gum disease. Because dental implants fill these spaces, there is less room for food debris and bacteria to accumulate.
- Preserving natural teeth – To place a traditional dental bridge, the teeth on either side of the gap have to be filed down, leaving them weaker and more sensitive in the long run. Because dental implants are self-supporting, you can keep more of your natural tooth enamel.
Long-Term Benefits
While dental implants offer immediate advantages, they really shine over the long-term. As the years go by, you may experience the following:
- A more youthful appearance – Without tooth roots to stimulate the jawbone, it becomes unable to support your facial structures. Your face may sag and wrinkle, prematurely aging you. Dental implants keep your jawbone strong and you looking young.
- A longer lifespan – Missing teeth have been linked to health conditions like heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. Dental implants function like natural teeth, preventing these issues.
- A great deal of saved money and time – Dental implants can potentially last a lifetime, making them a better long-term investment than bridges or dentures that have to be repaired and replaced every few years. You’ll save quite a bit of money (and time) by not having to visit your implant dentist in Muskegon as often for adjustments.
Indications of Dental Implants
The best way to learn whether you can benefit from this modern procedure is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gadalla and Dr. Rodriguez today. Our team will examine X-ray images of your facial structure and discuss your treatment options with you. Depending on your needs, we’ll create a custom-tailored treatment timeline and walk you through it so you know exactly what to expect.
Missing One Tooth
Even if you’re missing a single tooth, it’s important to get it replaced to prevent surrounding teeth from drifting out of alignment. We can restore the gap in your smile by placing a single dental implant in the gums and jawbone. We’ll attach the abutment, followed by the customized dental crown to complete your grin.
Missing Multiple Teeth
For multiple missing teeth in a row, we’re able to replace them with dental implants without having to alter any surrounding, healthy teeth. We can do this by inserting two dental implants at either end of the space in your arch of teeth. These will hold the ends of the dental bridge in place, closing the gap in your smile.
Missing All of Your Teeth
If you’re missing an entire arch of teeth, we can place a customized denture that’s secured to anywhere from four to eight dental implants. Once the restoration is secured, you won’t have to worry about having it slip or shift in your mouth while you eat or speak, because the implants provide it with a strong and stable foundation.
Cost of Dental Implants
In order to determine the cost of your implant procedure, we’ll need to conduct a thorough examination of your mouth to determine key specifics, like how many implants you need to have placed and what restoration you require. Once we iron out these details, we’ll walk you through the process and discuss cost factors with you. After your initial consultation, our team will be more than happy to speak about financial options and insurance coverage.
Dental Implant FAQ
Dental implants have quickly become one of the most common solutions out there to replace teeth, no matter how many you may be missing. Of course, we understand that you may have questions about treatment and aren’t sure if it’s right for you. Our dentists are happy to address any concerns you may have, so feel free to ask us during your initial consultation. For convenience, we’ve also included a handful of the most common questions we hear below.
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How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
While it depends on the patient and their oral care routine and lifestyle, dental implants typically last for at least 30 years or more, which is substantially longer than bridges and dentures. To ensure that the implants last, you’ll need to make sure to brush, floss, and use mouthwash every day. You should also visit our office every six months so you can have an exam and cleaning performed. We do not recommend chewing on anything that is extremely hard or sticky, nor should you use your teeth to open packages or bottles. Keep in mind that these are habits you would need to follow with natural teeth as well.
Are Dental Implants Safe?
When patients have positive oral health, they can expect their dental implant treatment to be very successful. This is especially the case when placed by a professional like Dr. Gadalla, who is Healthy Smiles Dental Care’s dedicated periodontist. Those who have low jawbone density or gum disease will need to have these problems resolved first before any phase of dental implant treatment can begin. Additionally, those with diabetes, cancer, or another medical condition can experience a higher risk of issues. This is something we will discuss in more detail during your consultation.
How Long Does Dental Implant Surgery Take?
The length of dental implant surgery can largely depend on how many dental implants you need to have placed. For example, while a single dental implant will usually take one to two hours, which includes the time needed to administer anesthesia and make the operatory sterile, it could be longer if you need to have two or more implants placed in a single session.
Can I Get Dental Implants If I’m Diabetic?
Even those who have diabetes can receive dental implants as long as they have the condition under control and well managed. If this is the case, your odds for success are generally comparable to those who do not have diabetes. However, those with chronic high blood sugar or little control of their diabetes will experience slower healing, making it more difficult for the dental implant to integrate. Make sure to speak with your endocrinologist or primary doctor beforehand to ensure your blood sugar levels are well under control.
What Should I Do If I Can’t Afford Dental Implants?
Keep in mind that only dental implants can effectively prevent jawbone deterioration, making them a worthwhile investment compared to bridges and dentures despite being more expensive. We’ll be happy to look at your dental insurance plan and see if any phases of treatment (such as the restoration) are eligible for coverage. If not, you may also want to review your FSA/HSA (if applicable), set up a payment plan with CareCredit, or enroll into our in-office membership to get discounts on implant services.