If you are missing a tooth or teeth, dental implants may be the answer. A solution that can last a lifetime, an endosteal (in-the-bone dental implant) is a titanium screw placed into the jawbone. The implant acts like a root to hold a crown, bridge or denture in place.

A dental implant can:

• Fill in the holes in your smile
• Make eating comfortable
• Help boost your confidence        
• Improve your appearance and speech
• Support a partial denture
• Increase the stability of full upper or lower dentures

A dental implant requires adequate bone in the jaw for support, which means healthy gum tissue free of periodontal disease. If you are healthy enough for a tooth extraction, it’s likely you are healthy enough for a dental implant.

Overall health is a greater consideration than age for dental implant candidates, so be sure to give a complete medical history when you consult with our dentists in Southfield.

If the jawbone does not have enough height to support an endosteal implant, subperiosteal (on-the-bone implants) may be an option. Subperiosteal implants are placed on top of the jawbone, with the metal framework's posts holding the implant in place. This type of implant is used for those unable to wear conventional dentures.

Dental implant facts:

· One implant with a crown can replace a single missing tooth.

· Implant-supported bridges can replace several missing teeth.

· An implant-supported full bridge or full denture can replace a mouth of missing teeth.

If you are missing teeth your jaw can shrink and your remaining teeth can shift (and may even start to fall over or lay down). The shrinkage will make you look older, and the shifting teeth will cause problems with your bite and the way teeth come together. Occlusion, or bite alignment issues, can cause pain, tenderness and headaches, and make eating certain types of foods difficult.

Dental implant benefits:

· Improved appearance 

When an entire tooth and root are missing, your jawbone will shrink, causing your face to look older. Dental implants can stop this process; a traditional dental bridge or dentures cannot.

·  Dental implants help preserve your natural teeth

With a traditional bridge, teeth on either side of the missing tooth/teeth are ground down and used as anchors for the bridge. Healthy teeth are not damaged by the use of implants.

· Dental implants are permanent

Dentures and dental bridges are temporary. There are no removable parts with a dental implant, so there is no danger of losing or breaking anything, and there is no slippage or unnatural movement. The dental implant does not require adjustments.

           Intended to last a lifetime, dental implants require the                     same daily care as your natural teeth. They should be                     brushed and flossed at least twice a day, and you should                 see your dentist every six months for cleaning.

At Southfield Family Dental Center, implants are affordable!

A single dental implant can cost much as $1,750 in the Metro Detroit area. At Southfield Family Dental Center, the price is $399! (Of course, the cost of a tooth replacement with dental implants is dependent on the type of implant, the number of teeth being replaced, the number of dental implants required to support the replacement teeth, the cost of crowns, bridges, partials or dentures.)

Want to learn more about dental implants? Check out the FAQ on our website; be sure to schedule your FREE dental implant consultation at the Southfield Family Dental Center today.