Dental implants allow you to enjoy a full, healthy smile once again after tooth loss. A visit to Dr. Sam Malouf, your Clair Shores, MI, dentist at Malouf Family Dentistry can help you decide if implants are a good choice for you.

How can dental implants improve my smile?

A dental implant is the only restoration option that restores your entire tooth. While dentures and bridges replace the visible parts of teeth, they don't restore roots. Implants act as synthetic roots and support the dental crowns attached to them.

Implants are small posts made of titanium, a metal with the unique ability to bond to bones. Once your implant is placed in your jawbone during minor oral surgery, it slowly fuses to the bone. A few months later, a new crown is attached to the top of it. Single implants and implant-supported dentures and bridges are available.

Do dental implants offer any special advantages?

If you just want to close the gaps in your smile, any restoration will do. When comfort and longevity are concerns, dental implants offer the best option. Your new implants are just as strong and stable as your natural roots. When you bite and chew, your new tooth won't slip and irritate your gums.

Implants offer a long-term solution to tooth loss. In fact, you may never have to replace your dental implant as long as you brush and floss daily and visit your Clair Shores dentist regularly. When comparing the costs of various restoration methods, don't forget to consider lifetime costs, not just immediate costs. Over the course of your life, you may need to replace dentures or bridges several times, but chances are you'll never need to replace your implants.

Dental implants help keep your jawbone strong, which can prevent facial sagging, a problem that occurs when your jawbone doesn't provide adequate support for your facial muscles. Implants also prevent other teeth from shifting as they attempt to fill gaps in your smile and help you avoid loose teeth due to a shrinking jawbone.

Fill the gaps in your smile with dental implants! Call Dr. Sam Malouf, your Clair Shores, MI, dentist at Malouf Family Dentistry, at (586) 772-9020 to schedule an appointment.