Our dentist and team offer dental implants to help boost your self-confidence when you smile. This restorative treatment works to replace one or multiple missing teeth as a long-term solution so you never have to worry about having an incomplete smile ever again. To learn more about dental implants in St. Joseph, Michigan, and schedule a consultation with Dr. David Haddad, please call Stadium Dental at 269-983-5583.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants act as stable replacements for your teeth and are an excellent choice if you are missing one tooth or multiple teeth. Dental implants can even replace a full arch of your smile!
What Is the Process for Receiving Dental Implants??
The process is as follows: A titanium dental implant post is placed in your jawbone to replace the tooth root. The implant post is what gives the implant its stability. The post then needs some time to bond with the jawbone. After this time, our dentist will top the implant post with a dental implant restoration, which replaces the missing tooth. Depending on your needs, your implant restoration might be one of the following:
- Dental crown. A dental crown caps the restoration and replaces the visible part of the tooth. We provide same-day dental crowns that we create in-house.
- Dental bridge. A dental bridge typically consists of an artificial tooth and two crowns on either side of it to hold it in place.
- Partial or complete denture. Dentures are removable appliances that replace multiple teeth or even a full arch of teeth. Interested in a fixed option? We also offer All-on-4® implants, which is a procedure that secures the dentures in your mouth with four dental implants.
Your implant restoration will be created to fit your unique smile.
Am I A Candidate for Dental Implants?
During your initial consultation, our dentist will determine whether you are a candidate for dental implants.
A good candidate for dental implants:
- Has one or more teeth missing
- Has a healthy jawbone that can support a dental implant
- Has healthy tissues in their mouth
- Does not smoke or use tobacco products
If you are experiencing gum disease, you may need to undergo gum disease treatment such as scaling and root planing or antibiotic treatment before you can start the dental implant process. You may also need a bone graft if your jawbone is not strong enough to support a dental implant. Bone grafting is when an oral surgeon grafts pieces of bone onto your jawbone to make it denser. Our dentist can go over these procedures and other available treatments with you during your consultation, and he will work with you to create a treatment plan.
Why Should I Get Dental Implants?
Dental implants help protect your smile’s health. When you are missing a tooth, the remaining teeth move towards the gap in the smile. This can cause misalignment. Also, since the missing tooth is not there to provide stimulation, the bone around the missing tooth begins to reabsorb, making the jawbone weaker and affecting your physical appearance. Without a complete smile, you have a higher risk for developing gum disease, and chewing and other oral functions become more difficult. Dental implants help you avoid these problems and let you enjoy a healthy smile!
In addition to keeping your mouth and smile healthy, dental implants restore and enhance the appearance of your smile, as they are created to look like natural teeth and fill out the gaps to create a complete and full smile. The stability of dental implants also helps them feel like natural teeth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods and speak clearly.
What Should I Do After I Receive My Dental Implants?
When you have the implant placed, avoid rinsing your mouth the rest of the day. Use ice or cold compresses on your face to lessen swelling for the first two days, and then switch to using heat. Begin brushing your teeth again the day after the surgery, but avoid brushing the area of the surgical site for a few days. Start using a saltwater rinse (1/2 teaspoon of salt with 8 ounces of warm water) the day after the placement, rinsing out your mouth every two or three hours. After a few days, start rinsing only after you eat and before you go to bed. Do this for two weeks. Follow all the instructions our dentist gives you and take medications as directed.
How Do I Get Started?
Are you ready to begin your dental implant journey? Give us a call today! We will be happy to answer questions and help you set up a consultation with our experienced dentist. We look forward to helping you reclaim your smile and experience a higher quality of life!