Grand Rapids Dental Implants

Is your smile missing something? Our Grand Rapids dental office provides dental implants and tooth replacement services to rejuvenate your dental health and give you back the freedom you once enjoyed with a full set of teeth.
Dental implants allow you to regain your full chewing ability and avoid bridges, dentures, and other removable appliances.

Available at out Grand Rapids clinic, a dental implant or tooth replacement is essentially a custom crafted tooth root that is implanted into the jaw. An artificial tooth is then created from porcelain and anchored onto the new tooth root.

Dental Implant Procedure

If your jaw has enough height, the implant can be inserted right into the jaw, where the natural tooth root was. A couple of months must then pass, while the bone grows around the implant and makes it part of itself. Implants are made from titanium, as bone has been found to grow readily around it.

Alternatively, if your jawbone hasn’t enough height, the implant can be attached on top of the bone, holding the artificial tooth through the gum tissue.

Benefits of Implant Dentistry

Lost teeth can be embarrassing, and many men and women put off replacing them because of lack of time, fear of the procedure, or uncertainty about cost. Patients who have lost back teeth may be unaware that, although the missing tooth is not very obvious, it may be negatively affecting their overall dental health.

Once you have completed the implant process, you may forget you ever had a missing tooth! With great care and regular cleaning, dental implants can outlast natural teeth.

Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?

At our Grand Rapids dental office, dental implants and tooth replacements can be an option for those who have lost one or more teeth, have difficulties chewing, or are dissatisfied with dentures. It is required that candidates for dental implants are in overall good health and have bones and gums strong enough to support an implant. Patients must have excellent oral hygiene, that includes regular flossing, brushing, and regular dental exams. Patients at a higher risk of developing periodontal disease (smokers, diabetics) may not be good candidates for a dental implant. Dr. Mulder can review the patient’s oral health and take x-rays in order to determine eligibility.

Dental Implant Risks

Dental implant surgery is a relatively safe procedure. As with most surgeries, some risks may exist. Risks may include some complications from surgery, such as excessive bleeding or a reaction to anesthesia. Dr. Mulder will discuss any risks in more detail prior to the surgery.

What Effects Can Missing Teeth Have On Dental Health?

Missing teeth, known as edentulism, can not only damage the appearance of your smile, but put a dent in your dental health as well. Failing to replace missing teeth with implants or dentures may:

• Adversely affect your nutrition by limiting food choices
• Result in loss of additional teeth due to stress
• Create a misaligned bite when the remaining teeth migrate to fill the gap, and
• Eventually lead to bone loss

Will a dental implant appear obvious?

The implant is the artificial tooth root, and won’t be visible. Grand Rapids dental implant and tooth replacement dentist Dr. Mulder uses his 25+ years of expertise to create very lifelike artificial teeth for his patients. He uses modern materials that are crafted so intricately, they are virtually indistinguishable from natural enamel. The implants are matched beautifully to your tooth shade, built for strength, and strongly anchored to the implant.

How soon can I have my implant finished?

Your implant timeline will depend on the type of implant chosen and your schedule. Because there are several steps in the implant process, you can expect to wait anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Grand Rapids dental implant and tooth replacement dentist Dr. Mulder will go over the expected timeline with you during your consultation.

Can I trust my implant to withstand the same pressure as natural teeth?

Absolutely. The implant, the artificial tooth root, becomes part of the jawbone and forms a very sturdy base for the artificial tooth attached to it.

Studies indicate that implants when well made, may actually be able to withstand more pressure than natural teeth! Implants are often the tooth replacement of choice, as they are inherently stronger than dentures and partials.

Once your implant is placed and healed, you should be able to eat and speak normally. Remember that you should only use your artificial tooth for normal chewing, and should avoid biting on inanimate objects or using your teeth to open things such as soda bottles.