Dental implants are among the leading replacement options for missing teeth. They offer a host of benefits, such as improved jaw strength and bite support. However, the implant post itself only solves half of the restoration problem. When you get dental implants in Franklin, MI, you’ll also need a restoration to help complete your smile and improve your bite. What kind of restoration you need often depends on how many teeth you’re missing. Before starting implant treatment, your dentist will examine your mouth to determine which restoration is right for you.
How to Restore Dental Implants in Franklin, MI
Dental implant posts help to mimic the natural root structure of your tooth. This helps promote jaw strength and provide a stable base for restorations. While simply getting the implant itself is already a boost to your oral health, it’s not enough to completely replace your tooth. Implants also need restorations to provide an even bite and complete smile. The most common restorations are dental crowns, dental bridges, and dentures.
Dental Crown
If you are only missing one tooth, you’ll likely only need one dental implant. To complete a single dental implant, your dentist will often recommend a dental crown. After the implant has integrated into your jaw, your dentist will attach an abutment and then take an impression. This impression is used to fabricate your dental crown. It can take around two or three weeks for the crown to be made. But once your dentist places the final crown, your implant treatment is often complete.
Implant-Supported Bridge
Traditional dental bridges use dental crowns on your natural teeth to support the row of fake teeth (pontics). However, if you’re missing many teeth in a row, a traditional bridge may not be the answer. Too much pressure on the dental crowns could lead to damage to your neighboring teeth. For this reason, many dentists will recommend an implant-supported bridge.
With an implant bridge, your dentist will surgically place two implants in your jaw, one on either end of the missing gap. These implants will be completed using dental crowns. Those dental crowns, in turn, support the pontics of your bridge. This often provides a safer and more effective replacement option for multiple missing teeth.
Implant-Secured Denture
When patients are missing an entire arch of teeth, dentures are often recommended. However, traditional dentures aren’t always comfortable or secure. They can slip and even fall out when talking or chewing, making daily life a struggle. With an implant-secured denture, patients can often experience improved stability for their restoration. Using strategic placement and angles, your dentist could provide an implant denture using as little as four or six dental implants.
If you’re missing teeth, dental implants are often the best restoration option. At Dental House and Aesthetics, we provide a range of restoration options to help complete implant treatment. Call us today at (248) 963-7925 to schedule a consultation and see if implant dentistry is right for you.