Patients in Holt, Lansing, Okemos, and throughout Michigan interested in dental implants can contact the practice of Edward Liu, D.D.S., to learn more about this exciting treatment option for missing teeth.
Edward Liu, D.D.S.
2123 N. Aurelius Road
Holt, Michigan 48842 MAP
P. (517) 699-2985
F. (517) 699-2205
Emergency cell and after hour
C. (517) 974-1269
Lansing, Okemos, and Holt, Michigan Dental Implants and Comprehensive Dental Care Practice
At his comprehensive dental care practice serving Okemos, Lansing, and all of Michigan, dental implants expert Edward Liu, D.D.S. provides solutions for patients suffering from total or partial tooth loss. An incredibly versatile technology, dental implants can be used to anchor individual crowns to fill in gaps in a patient's smile or to anchor an entire set of custom-made dentures. By providing treatment in a relaxed and comfortable environment and by using the latest in sedation dentistry techniques, Dr. Edward Liu and his staff of skilled and compassionate professionals ensure that every dental implant patient's experience is as pleasant as possible. Dental implants may be used to restore overall tooth function or for cosmetic reasons as part of a personalized smile design.
Tooth Loss – More Than a Cosmetic Issue
People who are missing one or more of their natural teeth may face a number of problems as a result. Chewing can be difficult and painful. Not only does eating become less enjoyable but, for elderly people, who are more susceptible to malnutrition, the diminished chewing capabilities associated with the use of traditional dentures may make seeing to daily nutritional needs a trial. Tooth loss can also have an impact on a person's social life. When a person loses all or many of his or her teeth, the ability to speak clearly can be impaired. People who are missing teeth may also be embarrassed about their appearance, resulting in a reluctance to smile.
Fortunately, advances in restorative dentistry have given those who have lost one or more teeth several options for beautiful, natural-looking tooth replacements. At our dental practice serving Holt, Lansing, Okemos, and all of Michigan, we often recommend dental implants as the most effective tool for restoring the look and feel of natural teeth. A patient who has lost only a few teeth may also opt to treat their tooth loss with a traditional dental bridge, an option that may be used alone or as part of a complete smile design.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium screws that are anchored to a patient's jawbone to create an artificial tooth root. After the dental implant is placed, the jaw undergoes a period of healing. The length of this process varies depending on the individual patient, but usually lasts approximately three to four months. As the jawbone heals, regenerative bone cells called osteoblasts bond to the implant, essentially fusing it to the bone. Once the implant has been fully integrated into the jaw, a permanent restoration such as a crown, a bridge, or a denture can be securely attached to it. Dental implants provide an invisible and stable foundation for dental restorations whose appearance, texture, and function are nearly identical to natural teeth.
Why Choose Dental Implants?
While tooth loss has historically been treated with dentures, many dentists are coming to the conclusion that they are not an adequate tooth loss treatment on their own. In addition to the discomfort frequently associated with them, traditional dentures often provide only a fraction of a patient's original chewing capacity. By contrast, when anchored with dental implants, dentures become more stable and better able to handle everyday activities such as talking and chewing. Additionally, dental implants can permanently replace missing teeth without causing any damage to the surrounding tooth structure, unlike dental bridges, which necessitate altering the natural teeth on either side of the bridge.
Compared to traditional dentures and bridges, dental implants are an excellent option for replacing missing teeth. In addition to looking and feeling quite natural, they:
- Provide near full chewing capacity; dentures provide only 15 percent to 20 percent of a person's normal chewing capacity.
- Will not accidentally fall out; dental implants are surgically implanted, so there is no need to worry that they will slip out of place.
- Preserve a person’s ability to enjoy food; a full upper denture covers the palate, decreasing the ability to taste.
- Are comfortable; they do not irritate the gums as loose-fitting dentures do.
- Prevent gum damage and discomfort, which occur when teeth surrounding a missing tooth move from their natural position.
Unparalleled Excellence in Implant Dental Care
Ever since Dr. Liu established his Holt practice near Lansing and Okemos, Michigan, dental implants have been his primary focus. Today, he is a proud member of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. He also has a doctorate in dental surgery from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and has completed numerous post-doctorate courses in the fields of dental implants and sedation dentistry. Dr. Liu is therefore well qualified to see to each patient's health and comfort. In providing his patients with dental implants, Dr. Liu uses the Nobel Biocare® system, one of the most advanced forms of tooth restoration technology available. This system ensures that our patients’ new smiles will bring them years – if not a lifetime – of enjoyment.
Contact Dental Implantologist Edward Liu
If you are missing one or more of your teeth and would like to learn more about dental implants, please contact Dr. Liu to schedule your free consultation at his dentistry practice serving Lansing and Okemos, Michigan. During a detailed dental implants consultation, you will learn how dental restoration using dental implants can improve the beauty and functionality of your smile in as little as a few months.