Dental Implants for West Bloomfield, MI
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Dr. Taylor's Family Dental Center
Cosmetic & General Dentistry & Implant Specialist, Periodontist, and Oral Surgeon located in Waterford, MI
Sometimes crowns, dentures, or bridgework aren’t enough to replace a missing or badly damaged tooth. If these options never seem to fit properly, constantly move or shift within your mouth, or you’ve been told these options aren’t for you, then a dental implant may be the restoration you need. Marvin Taylor, DDS, and the skilled team at Dr. Taylor’s Family Dental Center can assess your circumstances and determine if an implant is right for you. To learn more, call the office in Waterford, Michigan, or request an appointment online.
Dental Implants Q&A
What are dental implants?
A dental implant is used to replace a tooth completely, down to the root, and is made of a durable titanium replacement root and artificial crown.
Dental implants are an excellent alternative for people with malfunctioning or poorly fitting dentures and bridgework, or for people who lack the natural roots needed to complete certain dental restorations.
Dental implants are inserted directly into your jawbone during a surgical procedure. The entire restoration process takes several visits to Dr. Taylor’s Family Dental Center. However, once the process is completed, implants are among the most secure and lasting tooth replacement options.
Are dental implants right for me?
Dental implants are mostly used to replace teeth that have been completely compromised, either lost entirely or broken beyond repair. They are also frequently used when multiple teeth are missing.
A properly placed dental implant won’t move, shift, slip, or make noise in your mouth, nor will it cause damage to your jawbone over time, which gives them a clear advantage over other treatment options. However, not everyone is a candidate for a dental implant.
Your jawbone will need to have fully developed, which means that dental implants are not always viable for teenagers and young people. You’ll also need healthy oral tissues and an adequate amount of jawbone beneath the affected tooth for the artificial root to take hold. In some cases, bone grafts can be used to strengthen the jawbone for a dental implant.
What should I expect if I get a dental implant?
After a thorough dental exam and a series of X-rays to confirm that a dental implant is indeed the best option for you, your provider will begin the restoration process.
During your first visit, your dentist administers anesthesia before removing any remaining pieces of your damaged tooth and cleaning the socket in preparation for the dental implant. If you require a bone graft, it’s typically performed at this time.
The titanium root is then installed in your jawbone, concluding the first portion of the procedure. You’ll then go home to heal for a few weeks, allowing the titanium root to fuse into the jawbone, with a temporary crown to keep your implant safe in the meantime.
Once the jawbone has grown around the implant, a permanent abutment will be installed on top to support the permanent artificial tooth or crown.
If you’re interested in dental implants, call Dr. Taylor's Family Dental Center or request an appointment online today.