People with missing teeth used to have three choices; a partial, bridge or dentures. Thanks to dental advances, there is another choice. Implants are becoming more and more available. When dentists initially started using them, they were expensive. Many insurance companies would not pay for implants, because they were considered a luxury cosmetic item. Implants cost less, these days, and there are many offices that offer discount implants.
Dentistry implants are replaceable tooth roots. When the Dentist in Howell completes the process, people have teeth that look like their own. There are many advantages to implants, including:
- improved speech
- improved comfort
- easier eating
- durability
- improved oral health
Most people are candidates for implants. The only requirement is that the patient has healthy gums, that are able to hold the implant. Talk to the dentist at Lakewood Family Dental to see if you are a good candidate. They offer a full range of dental services, including implants. Most insurance plans do not pay for implants, but it may depend on the cause of tooth loss. The dentist’s first step is to recommend a treatment plan for the patient. Next, the tooth root implant is placed in the bone socket of the missing tooth. The implant is a small post made of titanium. The jawbone eventually grows around the implant, and it becomes a part of the jaw. This part of the process takes about six to twelve weeks to heal. Next, the Dentist in Howell attaches a piece of metal to the tooth root implant.
The Dentist in Howell makes impressions of the patient’s teeth, to make the new ones. A replacement tooth, called a crown, is then attached to the metal piece. The dentist also makes sure to match the color of the patient’s teeth to the implants. Implants are so much easier to use than dentures and other devices. There is no need for dental adhesive to secure them, because they are in the mouth, like real teeth. Many people have difficulty speaking with dental devices, because they slip. Patients don’t have a similar problem with implants. Care for dental implants like regular teeth, and continue to get regular dental check-ups.
