Dental Implants & Restorative Dentistry
At Thomas A. Kernstock, D.D.S., P.C. in Bay City, Michigan, Dr. Kernstock provides the latest in dental implants and restorative dentistry technology. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that serve as anchors for replacement teeth. When a patient is missing one or more teeth, dental implants are a permanent solution. Read on to learn more, but don't forget to visit our smile gallery to view some before-and-after photos of the dental implants results enjoyed by our Bay City dental implant patients.
Steps for Dental Implants
The first step in the dental implant process is a consultation with Dr. Kernstock, during which possible tooth replacement options will be discussed. To be a good candidate for dental implants, the dental patient must have sufficient bone in his or her jaw to support the implants. Once it is determined that the patient is a good candidate for dental implants, Dr. Kernstock will work with an implant surgeon who will then insert the titanium screws that will serve as anchors into the patient's jaw. The next step in the dental implants process will occur three to six months later, after the titanium tooth roots have completely fused to the patient's jaw bone. Once this has occurred, the patient can return to our office where Dr. Kernstock will fit the custom-crafted replacement teeth onto the patient's artificial tooth roots.
Dental Implants Preferred Over Dentures
Many of Dr. Kernstock's Bay City area dental implant patients prefer permanent dental implants over traditional removable dentures for several reasons. Dental implants are nearly indistinguishable from a patient's natural teeth, unlike dentures which look artificial. While traditional dentures need to be removed nightly for cleaning, dental implants are a permanent tooth loss solution that require no additional maintenance outside of a good oral hygiene routine. Dental implants also allow patients to feel more comfortable while speaking and eating because dental implants are permanently affixed to the patient's jaw and will not shift or slip as with traditional dentures.