dental bridge vs implant procedure

Dental implants are one of the fastest-growing dental procedures in the country. More than three million Americans have dental implants, and every year another 500,000 people undergo this fast, painless process – including hundreds of Farmington Hills and Troy patients at Jamestowne South Dental.

Why Choose Dental Implants?

With periodontal disease increasing among the elderly population, it’s estimated that two out of every three people will at some point deal with a missing tooth, or missing teeth. Many adults in the latter category have turned to bridges as a solution, but these require the grinding down of healthy teeth. Plus, most bridges fail after 5 – 10 years, and it’s hard to clean the teeth in the vicinity. Dentures were once a common remedy, but often times they don’t fit right, making it difficult for the wearer to eat and talk properly.

On the other hand, dental implants have a few big advantages. For example, they function just like natural teeth, don’t decay, and preserve the bone comprising the jaw. Every day, it becomes clearer that dental implants are a superior treatment alternative over bridges and dentures. 

What Exactly Is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root (usually a titanium screw) that a dentist inserts into a patient’s jaw in order to replace a missing tooth. A prosthetic tooth (aka “crown”) that looks and functions just like a real tooth is attached to the screw. Over time, the screw and the crown naturally fuse with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration.

How Does a Typical Dental Implant Procedure Work?

If you live in Birmingham, Franklin, or Bingham Farms and are considering dental implants, no doubt you’d like to know how the procedure unfolds. Once the decision is made that you’ll benefit from a dental implant, it’s important to schedule the procedure for as soon as possible. When a tooth is missing, it doesn’t take long for bone loss to occur. Plus, the site is far more susceptible to infection and/or injury.  

During the initial visit, our dentist will do a CT scan of your mouth and discuss his thoughts with you regarding the need for dental implants. If you agree to move forward, the next step is a pre-procedure exam. During this visit, the dentist uses cutting-edge surgical planning software to create a 3D map of your mouth. This helps him to plan the procedure in advance and address any potential problems. The dentist also uses this 3D image to assess bone structure and nerve locations and mold your replacement tooth/teeth.

We’ll Start Restoring Your Smile Today

At Jamestowne South Dental, a dental implants process takes between three months and one year, depending on your specific needs. Rest assured our experienced team will personalize an effective solution that restores your mouth to full health and brightens your smile in no time.