​WHAT ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS?

“The closest replacement to a missing tooth available”
​
​A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is surgically placed into the jawbone. The implant is made out of commercially pure titanium; the same material used in the replacement of knees and hips, and has proven to be amongst the most biocompatible materials available.

​Once healed, dental implants act as a foundation to anchor the visible portion of the artificial tooth (or teeth). Different types of prostheses can be attached to the implant such as: crowns, bridges, removable dentures, and fixed dentures. Implant prostheses can be very natural looking and often enhance or restore a patient’s smile. Dental implants are strong and durable and will last many years.

WHY CHOOSE DENTAL IMPLANTS?

Mimic Biology – Dental implants are the most similar replacement for natural teeth. They are designed to be a reliable, long-lasting, and natural-looking solution. Dental implants are also very durable. With proper care, good oral hygiene and follow up with your dentist, implants will last for many years or even a lifetime. Since the first patient received a dental implant in 1965, decades of research have gone into their functionality and stability.

Preserve Adjacent Teeth – The two most common options to replace a missing tooth are dental implants and dental bridges. When a bridge is used, the neighboring teeth must be ground down to support ​the bridge. Though bridges are a reliable option, when adjacent teeth are healthy, grinding them down weakens them and puts them at risk for future complications. When an implant is used to replace a missing tooth, adjacent teeth are not altered or damaged in any way.

Minimize Bone Loss – Jaw bone follows the old adage of “use it or lose it”. Natural teeth transmit chewing forces to the bone that stimulate natural and healthy bone remodeling and growth. When a tooth is missing, the bone in the area does not receive a stimulus and will begin to gradually waste away. Dental implants, like natural teeth transmit forces to help maintain your bone and facial structure.

Cost Effective – Implant treatment can be considered a long-term investment into your health and your well being – in short, an investment into your life. Compared to other restorations, costs can seem higher at first glance. However, due to higher maintenance/replacement costs, the potential increase in lost jaw bone, and, ultimately, the loss of even more teeth can make other restorations more expensive in the long run.

​Restore Function – Teeth are necessary for both eating and speaking. Often when people are missing teeth they have to give up on some of their favorite foods. In addition, people can feel self-conscious when talking because missing teeth or dentures make it difficult to speak clearly. Dental implants bring back the full function of natural teeth. So no matter how hard, crunchy or sticky the food, dental implants can put it back on your menu. And they can restore your clear speech back to normal for the next business presentation or long chats with your friends.

Educational Videos

WHAT DOES GETTING AN IMPLANT INVOLVE?

The process of getting an implant requires a number of visits over several months. The sequence and timeline can vary significantly based on how many dental implants you are receiving, the amount of current bone you have and whether or not teeth are present. Several different scenarios are described below:

MISSING TOOTH: ADEQUATE BONE

First Appointment: Evaluation

  • X-rays
  • Impressions (molds) of the jaw / teeth
  • Analyze bone quality and quantity
  • Discuss timeline and fees

Second Appointment: Implant Placement

  • Administer local anesthesia
  • Make small incision through the gums to access bone
  • Drill into the bone to create space for the implant
  • Place the dental implant
  • Place a small healing cap on the dental implant

Third Appointment: Impression ~3 months later

  • Pick a shade for your new crown
  • If necessary administer local anesthesia
  • Remove healing cap
  • Connect an impression post to the implant and take X-ray to verify proper connection
  • Take a highly accurate impression of the implant
  • Remove impression post, place the healing cap

Fourth Appointment: Deliver implant crown ~2 weeks later

  • Remove healing cap
  • Try-in and adjust your new crown
  • X-ray to ensure proper connection

MISSING TOOTH: INADEQUATE BONE

In this case you are missing a tooth but may not have adequate bone for an implant. You will need a bone graft. If minor bone grafting needs to be done I will do it the same day as the implant placement. If significant grafting is necessary I will graft and allow it to heal for 2-3 months before placing the implant.

First Appointment: Evaluation

  • X-rays
  • Impressions (molds) of the jaw / teeth
  • Analyze bone quality and quantity
  • Discuss necessity of CT Scan
  • Discuss timeline and fees

CT Scan Appointment (optional)

  • Conventional X-rays provide information in only two dimensions. I can analyze spacing and the available height of bone. If you are missing significant bone I may need to analyze the width of bone to do this I will order a CBCT Scan.

Second Appointment: Bone Graft +/- Implant Placement

  • Administer local anesthesia
  • Make small incision through the gums to access bone
  • Drill into the bone to create space for the implant
  • Place the dental implant
  • Place bone graft material around the implant and place a biological membrane to cover and protect the area.
  • Place several small sutures to hold everything in place
  • Place a small healing cap on the dental implant

Third Appointment: Impression ~3 months later

  • Pick a shade for your new crown
  • If necessary administer local anesthesia
  • Remove healing cap
  • Connect an impression post to the implant and take X-ray to verify proper connection
  • Take a highly accurate impression of the implant
  • Remove impression post, place the healing cap

Fourth Appointment: Deliver implant crown ~2 weeks later

  • Remove healing cap
  • Try-in and adjust your new crown
  • X-ray to ensure proper connection

TOOTH STILL PRESENT

In this case you have a tooth that needs to be extracted (pulled) and we have decided to replace it with an implant. There are 3 different scenarios based on location of the mouth, the shape of the tooth, the amount of bone and the presence of infection.

Scenario 1: I extract the tooth and there is plenty of remaining bone to connect to the implant. In this situation I will place the implant the same day as the extraction.

Scenario 2: I extract the tooth and there is not quite enough remaining bone to connect to the implant. In this situation I will place the implant along with a bone graft the same day as the extraction.

Scenario 3: I extract the tooth and there is a significant deficiency of remaining bone to connect to the implant. In this situation I will place grafting material and a biological membrane and allow it to heal for 3-4 months before proceeding with the implant


At Kane Dentistry in Ann Arbor, Michigan, we provide dental implant services, dental implant surgery, implant crowns and implant retained dentures. Dr. Jesse Kane completed training in prosthodontics, a dental specialty that includes both the placement and restoration of dental implants as well as addressing the most complex dental needs. Dr. Kane’s primary focus is to help his patients meet their dental goals, whatever the situation may be. Whether you want to improve your smile with crowns or veneers, replace missing teeth with implants, or restore your entire mouth with dentures or implant dentures, Dr. Kane is there to help.

At Kane Dentistry, there is no cutting corners. We use the highest quality dental implants and dental restorations and we partner with only premier dental laboratories. While we are a specialty practice, we recognize the importance of charging a fair price that is affordable.

Jesse Kane is an Ann Arbor native and an alumni of the University of Michigan Dental School and Prosthodontics Residency Program. He is dedicated to serving Ann Arbor and the surrounding communities. Kane Dentistry is located on the north side of Ann Arbor, on Plymouth road, past Domino Farms. Give us a call today and come in for a consult. Whether or not you chose to move forward with treatment, Dr. Kane will take his time to provide a thorough exam and answer any questions you may have.