Dental Implants in Norton Shores, MI

Dental implants can restore your smile and confidence by serving as long-lasting, healthy replacements for missing teeth. While there are many options to restore failing dentition or replace dentures, dental implants are the healthiest choice because they fuse to the jaw bone just like natural teeth. Implants are ideal for many patients and can restore a single tooth or a full arch of teeth.

Dr. Larson specializes in replacing damaged or missing teeth with dental implants and creates a custom treatment plan for every patient. Using advanced 3D imaging technology, Dr. Larson places dental implants with great precision, resulting in faster recovery times and optimal results. Are you ready to achieve a healthy smile you can feel confident about? Contact Breakwater Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implants in Norton Shores, MI, to explore your tooth replacement options.

Why Replace Missing Teeth?

Teeth are important because they help you bite and chew food, speak properly, and maintain a healthy bite. Missing a tooth negatively affects your oral health and can make it difficult to eat or speak. Many people who are missing teeth feel self-conscious about their smile and hide their teeth in photos, cover their mouth when eating, or avoid smiling around others.

When you chew, the roots of your teeth stimulate your jaw bone, keeping it strong. When a tooth is missing, the jaw bone does not receive stimulation and will deteriorate over time. As the jaw weakens, adjacent teeth can shift out of place and facial features may begin to sag. Dental implants are designed to prevent jaw bone loss and are the only tooth replacement option that fuses to the jaw bone just like natural teeth. By replacing missing teeth, you prevent jaw bone atrophy, dental shifting, and bite problems, and restore your self-esteem by having a complete smile.

Dental Implant Procedure

If dental implants are right for your restorative needs, Dr. Larson will walk you through each step of your treatment. We will discuss your anesthesia options to ensure comfortable implant placement. Many patients undergo IV sedation for dental implant surgery. You will not feel any discomfort with IV sedation and must arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home after surgery.

On the day of your procedure, Dr. Larson will make a small incision in the gum tissue and insert the dental implant post, then place sutures as needed. Over the next few months, the bone will heal around the implant post, securing it into the jaw. When placing a same-day dental implant, Dr. Larson will extract the damaged tooth and immediately insert the dental implant post.

If a tooth is being replaced in a visible part of the mouth, there are multiple options to replace the missing space while the implant post heals. After the post has healed, you will return to our office for a second procedure to uncover the implant and attach an abutment. If an abutment is attached during the initial surgery, a second procedure is not necessary.

Your dentist will make an impression of your teeth, fabricate the final crown, and attach it to the implant. This crown will match the color and shape of your other teeth for natural-looking results.

Types of Dental Implants

Dental implants are a versatile restorative treatment and there are many types of implants to choose from. During your first visit, we will discuss your options and determine the right option for you.

• Single Tooth Replacement. We will use one dental implant to replace one tooth anywhere in the mouth.
• Multiple Tooth Replacement. One implant can support up to three replacement teeth. For areas of the mouth where there are multiple missing teeth in a row, an implant-supported bridge is an excellent option and can avoid having to crown adjacent teeth.
• Same-Day Implants. If you need a tooth extracted and have adequate jaw bone, we can replace it with a dental implant on the same day as extraction.
• Full-Arch Restoration. Ideal for patients missing all of their teeth or those who seek an alternative to dentures, this treatment uses several implants to secure a fixed denture in one or both arches.

X-Guide: More Accurate Dental Implant Surgery

We use the revolutionary X-Guide system, which has far greater capabilities than standard cone beam systems. X-Guide provides your surgeon with turn-by-turn guidance during surgery, significantly improving the precision and accuracy of implant position, angle, and depth. We have a 360-degree view of the drill position and a patient’s anatomy to carefully avoid facial structures and produce predictable outcomes. X-Guide also makes same-day guided surgery a possibility for more patients.

Cost of Dental Implants in Norton Shores, MI

The cost of dental implant treatment varies for everyone. There are several factors that contribute to the cost of implants, including:

• The number of implants
• If extractions or bone grafting are necessary
• Dental/medical insurance
• The choice of anesthesia

To find out how much your dental implants would cost in Norton Shores, MI, contact Breakwater Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implants. We will evaluate your oral health and provide you with a cost estimate for implants at the first appointment.

Denture Replacement With Dental Implants

Removable dentures are a fast and cost-effective way to replace many missing teeth. However, many patients who wear dentures are quickly dissatisfied with the way dentures feel and the inconvenience of having to remove them during meals. Dentures rest on the bony ridge in the mouth and do not prevent jaw bone loss. As the jaw bone weakens, facial sagging may occur, making you appear older than you actually are.

With full-arch restoration, we can replace dentures with a fixed prosthesis secured by as few as four dental implants. Many patients who wear traditional dentures switch to implant-supported dentures, which require no special care and remain in your mouth at all times. If you wear dentures and seek a more comfortable alternative, contact our oral surgery practice in Norton Shores, MI, to see how dental implants can help.