Grand Rapids Dental Implants - Best Choice Dental Implant Center - Dr. Timothy Moore

DENTAL IMPLANTS Why they are your BEST CHOICE

Dental implants are artificial, man-made tooth roots. Dental implants can be used as support for a single crown, or a  fixed bridge, or to support a removable complete denture or a fixed complete denture.

Although, dental implants of various types have been around since the time of the ancient Egyptians, it was not until the middle of the last century that a truly biocompatible root form implant was developed.

Dr. Branemark, a Scandinavian researcher, discovered that bone will grow in intimate contact with titanium.  He coined the term "osseointegration" to describe the fusion between human bone and the titanium surface. It was the beginning of the first successful dental implants used in humans, and it is the foundation for modern day dental implant therapy.

ADVANTAGES
(Single Implant Supported Crown)

1.  An implant will  preserve the bone at the site of the missing tooth.  A fixed bridge, 3 unit bridge on   
     natural teeth, will not maintain the bone where the tooth is missing.
2.  Dental implant  supported crowns can accept bite loads equivalent to natural teeth.
3.  A dental implant supported crown appears very natural...often indistinguishable from natural teeth.
5.  Use of dental implants can often be used instead of long span bridgework on natural teeth.  Long
     span bridgework (4 or more units) is less predicable than short span bridgework.
6.  A dental implant supported crown is more conservative than a tooth supported fixed bridge. It
     is not necessary to “cut down” perfectly healthy teeth in order to make a bridge.
7.  A dental implant supported crown restores function to normal.
8.  Implants do not get cavities like teeth.
9.  Implants do not get gum disease like.
10. Although a dental implant and the prosthetic crown costs more than a 3 unit bridge... initially,
     when it comes time to replace the bridge (usually because of decay) or replace an implant crown   
     (usually due to wear or fracture of the porcelain) the implant crown will cost about 70% less 
     to replace than the 3 unit bridge.  The implant will not need replacement, only the crown will need
     to be replaced
11. Flossing is easier around a single implant than around a three unit fixed bridge.  This makes it easier
      to maintain the health of the adjacent natural teeth.

DISADVANTAGES

1.  Expense.  An implant is more expensive (initially) than a three unit bridge.  However, an implant
     crown will be more economical to replace, if necessary, compared to a 3 unit bridge.
2.  Time.  It takes 3 to 12 months to deliver the definitive implant supported crown or bridge.  However,
     if no bone grafting is necessary and the bone is of good quality, a temporary abutment and
     temporary crown can be placed the same day as the implant.
3.  If an implant supported crown is chipped or damaged, it may be possible to retrieve and repair the 
     restoration. Often a conventional bridge on natural teeth has to be destroyed to get it off.
4.  If an implant fails, the crown it is supporting will also fail.
5.  Gum recession due to aging or disease may expose the implant margin of the crown at the gumline.  
     This may create an unesthetic display of metal and may necessitate remaking the crown.
7.  The gum between the teeth called the papilla, may not grow back.  This may leave a dark triangle of
     space between the implant and the adjacent teeth.  This may be an esthetic problem in someone
     with a high smile line that shows the gum above the upper front teeth.  It may be possible to correct 
     this defect and replace the missing gum tissue.
8.  If there is not enough bone at the implant site it will be necessary to graft additional bone.  This may
     add 6 months to the implant treatment.