Tooth loss is incredibly common, affecting millions of American adults each and every year. Any time you lose a tooth, you also lose some of your confidence, to say nothing of your ability to bite and chew as normal. One of the most effective ways to mediate tooth loss is through dental implants. At Greater Michigan Oral Surgeons & Dental Implant Center, we are proud to be a trusted provider of dental implants, treating patients in Bay City, MI and the surrounding region.

What Are Dental Implants

Dental implants are widely considered to be the premium option for tooth replacement, offering you the chance for long-lasting and natural-looking smile restoration.

A dental implant is a small titanium rod that your oral surgeon carefully inserts into the jaw. The implant fuses with the surrounding bone and comes to function as an artificial tooth root. A custom crown, bridge, or denture is secured to the implant, allowing you to regain the full form and function of a healthy smile.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?

For patients in the Bay City, MI area, dental implants can provide a range of benefits. Some of the top reasons to consider dental implants over other tooth replacement options include:

  • Dental implants integrate with your jaw and provide stimulation to the bone, preventing bone loss and unwanted changes to your facial appearance.
  • Your dental implants will provide you with a level of stability not far removed from what you experience with your natural teeth, meaning you can enjoy your favorite foods as normal.
  • Because they integrate with the jawbone and are made of durable titanium, dental implants can last a long time. Your implants should last at least a decade, but with the right oral hygiene, they may last a lot longer.

Can You Benefit from Dental Implants?

To determine whether you are a good candidate for dental implant placement, we recommend scheduling a consultation with one of our oral surgeons here at Greater Michigan Oral Surgeons & Dental Implant Center.

During your consultation, your doctor will examine your teeth and jaw, ask some questions about your medical history, and verify that dental implants are right for you. The best candidates for dental implants:

  • Are missing one or more teeth or anticipate the need for a tooth extraction.
  • Are in good health and without untreated periodontal disease.
  • Have not lost a lot of bone tissue or are eligible to have bone regenerated through bone grafting.

The Dental Implant Process

At Greater Michigan Oral Surgeons & Dental Implant Center, we provide every patient with an individualized treatment plan designed to promote their comfort, safety, and aesthetic outcomes. Generally, the process follows a few simple steps:

Initial Consultation

At your consultation, your surgeon will not only verify your candidacy for dental implant surgery, but also answer any questions you may have about the process, recovery, and end results.

Preparing for Surgery

For some patients, it will be necessary to have additional surgeries to prepare the mouth for surgery. This might involve having non-viable teeth extracted or having a gum infection cleared up through periodontal care.

The Day of Surgery

On the day of your dental implant surgery, our patient care team will welcome you back to a private treatment room. We will then administer anesthesia to ensure your safety and comfort. Dental implant placement typically takes one to two hours, though the timeline can vary depending on how many implants are being placed.

Recovering from Surgery

It usually takes multiple months for your implants to fully heal. Initial discomfort will only last a couple of days and can be mediated with over-the-counter medications. You will need to adhere to a diet of soft foods and liquids for the first few days, but most patients feel ready to transition back to their normal eating habits fairly quickly.

Completing Your Smile

You will return to your oral health provider once your implants have fully fused with the jawbone, potentially four to six months after your initial implant placement. At this point your final replacement teeth will be placed, completing your confident smile.

Why Choose Greater Michigan Oral Surgeons?

At Greater Michigan Oral Surgeons & Dental Implant Center, we boast decades of experience providing dental implant care to patients in Bay City, MI and the surrounding area. Our team of board-certified surgeons has the knowledge and skill required to prioritize patient comfort and safety, all while ensuring the best clinical outcomes. And we use best-in-class technology to ensure every patient’s experience is seamless.

Schedule Your Dental Implant Consultation in Bay City

For a second chance at a healthy smile, consider dental implants. At Greater Michigan Oral Surgeons & Dental Implant Center, we are pleased to provide implant placement for patients in the Bay City, MI community. Contact us today to schedule a dental implant consultation with one of our oral surgeons.