Rebuilding Smiles with Dental Implants

Craig Downer DDS PLC provides dental implants to replace missing teeth and restore function and beauty. Dental implants are long-lasting, resistant to wear and tear and provide a strong foundation for dental restorations. With this advanced treatment, it is possible for patients who have lost one or many teeth to have a full smile. Dr. Downer is experienced in dental implants and supplying custom dental restorations to patients in Mt Pleasant.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants have unique qualities which allow for a true transformation in how your smile looks and feels. Once placed in the jaw, implants fuse with the bone and become similar in strength to a natural tooth root. This process also stimulates jaw bone stability and ensures existing teeth remain in their right place. Bite, speech, and chewing issues can be resolved with dental implants. These prosthetics fully restore oral health and greatly improve self-confidence.

The Dental Implant Placement Process

Tooth extractions, trauma, or decay can leave an individual with one or multiple missing teeth. Dental implants are designed to replace teeth that cannot be saved through restorative methods. During your initial appointment, we thoroughly examine your smile to ensure dental implants are the right treatment for you.

Dr. Downer pays close attention to jaw bone density and overall oral health, two important factors in dental implant placement and restoration. In some cases, patients may need preparatory procedures to ensure the best chance at success. X-rays and impressions of teeth are taken, which help our doctor and team plan the procedure.

After your first exam, our dentist creates a personalized treatment plan for optimal placement. This plan details how many implants are required and where they will be placed. After placement, patients need healing time to allow implants to fuse to the bone. Custom-made final restorations are then fixed to the implants with an abutment.

Restoring Smiles with Dental Implants

Implant restorations are designed to appear similar to natural teeth and retain comparable strength. Dental implants can be adapted to support single and multiple tooth restorations. Implant-supported crowns, bridges, and dentures are customized to provide the best tooth shape and size for optimal form and function.

CALL US: (989) 773-7232 REQUEST APPOINTMENT

Reasons for dental implants:

• Replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth.
  
• Resolve joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into missing tooth space.
  
• Restore a patient’s confident smile.
  
• Restore chewing, speech, and digestion.
  
• Restore or enhance facial tissues.
  
• Support a bridge or denture, making it more secure and comfortable.

The process of getting implants requires a number of visits over several months.

X-rays and impressions (molds) are taken of the jaw and teeth to determine bone, gum tissue, and spacing available for an implant.  While the area is numb, the implant will be surgically placed into the bone and allowed to heal and integrate itself for up to six months.   Depending on the type of implant, a second surgery may be required in order to place the “post” that will hold the artificial tooth in place.  With other implants the post and anchor are already attached and placed at the same time.

After several weeks of healing the artificial teeth are made and fitted to the post portion of the anchor.  Because several fittings may be required, this step may take one to two months to complete.  After a healing period, the artificial teeth are securely attached to the implant, providing excellent stability and comfort to the patient.

You will receive care instructions when your treatment is completed.  Good oral hygiene and eating habits, alongside regular dental visits, will aid in the life of your new implant.

Contact Craig Downer, DDS, PLC for Dental Implants

Our practice is passionate about restoring the beauty and function of patients’’ smiles through implant dentistry. Dr. Downer offers patients comprehensive dental implant care in Mt Pleasant MI. Call us to achieve a beautiful smile.

CALL US: (989) 773-7232 REQUEST APPOINTMENT