Choosing the right restorative solution to correct a dental issue can be a lot to take in. You want your smile to regain its strength, but you don’t want long-term care to be intensive. Thankfully, our West Michigan dental implant dentists have a solution.

Where dentures have their drawbacks, dental implants are proven to last for decades without the need for repairs or adjustments. If you’ve grown weary of your dentures or you’re looking for a way to restore your smile, a dental implant (or multiple) could help.

Are you ready for dental implants? Here are 6 signs you might be.

1. Missing Teeth

One of the most obvious reasons for a tooth replacement option like dental implants is a missing tooth or multiple missing teeth. No matter how you lost them, it can be a source of shame and embarrassment in your life.

Related Post -> 5 Key Reasons Why Tooth Replacement is a Good Idea

Our dentists are here to help. A dental implant is carefully placed in each available spot and will be as strong and durable as a natural tooth. Dental implant care also only requires regular brushing and flossing so there is no need to stress over extensive maintenance.

2. Loose Dentures or Bridge

No one likes the feeling of an ill-fitting dental appliance. Sure, you can always have your dentures or dental bridge adjusted by our dentists, but at a certain point it just becomes too much to deal with for some patients.

With dental implants, there is no worry that the posts themselves or the porcelain crowns on top will become loose during the day. You can confidently eat or talk knowing they will remain in place.

3. Recent Tooth Extraction

Our dentists will always do whatever they can to save an infected tooth. Unfortunately, if the infection is too severe, we will need to perform a tooth extraction.

For obvious reasons, having a tooth pulled often gets people thinking about replacement options. If you want the feeling and function of a natural tooth, a dental implant is the ideal choice. The implant will fill in the new gap seamlessly and not look out of place in the slightest.

4. Sunken Facial Appearance

After teeth are lost, your jawbone tends to shrink and decline in mass due to a lack of stimulation. Bone loss over time can lead to a change in facial structure and cause an individual to look older than their true age.

While traditional dentures help replace missing teeth, they do not stimulate the jawbone as they sit on top of the gums. Dental implants are instead surgically placed by our dentists into your jawbone which in turn prevents bone loss much like a natural tooth root would.

5. Tired of Denture Adhesives and Care

It goes without saying that dentures serve a useful purpose. However, the care that they require isn’t always the most ideal or quickest.

Because dentures are known to slip at times, adhesive is often needed to keep them in place. The regular application of an adhesive is where it can get messy and outright inconvenient for many wearers. Implants, on the other hand, are embedded into your jawbone and are not in danger of shifting throughout the day.

Dentures also need to be removed and properly cleaned after eating to prevent plaque buildup or trapped food particles. Those who have dentures must be careful when brushing the appliance(s) to avoid damage and must soak them overnight.

Learn More -> 5 Tips for Dental Implant Care

You can clean dental implants in the same way as you do your natural teeth: brush at least twice a day and floss daily. Regular dental checkups are also encouraged so our dentists can monitor your oral health.

6. Severely Cracked or Broken Tooth

A damaged tooth can be repaired with other restorative procedures but sometimes, the cracked or broken tooth is beyond the fix of a dental crown. Our dentists may decide that it is best to extract the remaining part of the tooth and place a dental implant.

If it is found that your tooth is broken below the gingival line or has resulted in damaged pulp, a tooth extraction may also be the option to pursue. Your oral health will greatly improve after having a dental implant placed thanks to its long-lasting durability and jawbone stimulation.

Refresh Your Smile

Dental implants are worth the investment if you have grown tired of the downsides of missing teeth or removable dentures. Our dental implant dentists in West Michigan are here to answer your questions about the procedure. Contact us online or call one of our MI Smiles Dental locations today to schedule an appointment.

This blog post has been updated.