How Do Implant Dentures Work?

implant dentures Comstock Park

Many individuals know that a tooth implant is an ideal tooth restoration. Some don’t realize, however, that two or more can support a partial or full denture. This can be a less expensive option than having many implants while still providing many advantages as compared to conventional dentures.

Today’s post answers the most frequent questions about implant dentures.

The first thing to know is that a fixed implant denture is called an “implant-supported” denture while a removable one is called an “implant-retained” denture.

What Are Implant Dentures?

Like traditional dentures, implant-supported dentures replace missing teeth. The difference is that they are attached to titanium posts which are surgically inserted into the jawbone.

Each post is called an implant. The implant fuses with the surrounding bone structure to create an incredibly secure restoration. These posts are similar to the implants that hold a crown, except instead of a crown, they have a clip that attaches to the denture, partial denture, or metal bar that holds the denture connectors. Implants can be used for both upper and lower dentures.

Bar-Retained and Ball-Retained Systems

There are two types of implant stabilization methods: bar-retained and ball-retained. For both, the denture is created with gum-colored acrylic for the base to which porcelain (or acrylic) false teeth are attached. The denture necessitates, at a minimum, two implants for stabilization.

With the ball-retained system, each post holds an attachment (male or female) that fits into a corresponding connector on the denture. These are sometimes called “stud-attachment.”

With bar-retained dentures, a metal bar is anchored to two to five implants. The bar holds the clips that connect to the denture.

If you are currently wearing standard dentures, talk to us about superior restoration procedures.

 

CONTACT ERIC HULL AESTHETIC & GENERAL DENTISTRY:

616-333-6445

LOCATION (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

What Is Restorative Dentistry?

Restorative Dentistry - cracked teeth repair in Comstock Park, MI

“Restorative dentistry” is a term dentists use to describe the way damaged or missing teeth can be fixed or replaced. At Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI, our goal is always to improve your smile – in short, to maintain or restore your dental health.

Restorative dentistry covers everything from filling cavities to dental implants. Filling a cavity can stop tooth decay in its tracks. And replacing a lost tooth with an implant prevents bone loss and facial sag, keeps remaining teeth from moving around, and restores chewing power and smiles.

Other restorative dentistry procedures include:

  • Dental crowns – Cover a tooth to strengthen and improve the structure of a tooth.
  • Bridges – A dental bridge is a tooth replacement procedure in which an artificial tooth is anchored on either side of the space where a tooth is missing to “bridge” the area and fill in the space.

Before we wrap up this short article, we’d like to offer a word on categories. Some practices will call dental implants restorative dentistry. Some will call them cosmetic dentistry. Others still will put them in a category all their own. As Shakespeare said, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

At Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park MI, our services include restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry and Invisalign orthodontics. Call our office today to schedule an appointment!

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

 

Missing Teeth? Don’t Miss Out On A Beautiful Smile

Comstock Park cosmetic dentistry

If you have missing spaces in your smile due to tooth decay, injury or any other reason, there is hope! If your existing teeth are stained, decayed, or cracked, there is hope. If your teeth have always been misshapen, or crooked, there is hope. Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry can fix it all!

Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry, in Comstock Park, Mi, have restored and improved smiles with advanced dentistry since 1974.We know how to handle the toughest cosmetic dental problems. Regardless of the problem, it is usually ideal to retain your natural teeth. If this is not feasible or you have already lost some teeth, we offer numerous options. We can help you preserve (or regain) your ability to eat, drink, speak, laugh, and smile with confidence!

Dental Veneers

If you still have your teeth, but are not happy with them, these might be the best answer. Stunning veneers offer an affordable approach to cosmetic adjustments – uneven color, size, or shape. These are very thin shells bonded to the front of the teeth.

Dental Implant

An implant is a tooth replacement that includes an artificial tooth PLUS an artificial root. With local anesthesia, the artificial root is inserted into the jaw bone where it integrates with the bone. There are three parts to a dental implant: the artificial root, the connecting abutment, and the final crown, partial or denture.

A dental implant is often the best restoration as it offers beauty, strength, natural function, and protection from bone recession that often occurs at the site of a missing tooth.

Dentures/Partials

Most Belmont, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids, Rockford, Sparta and Walker residents have heard of dentures and partials: a plate holding artificial teeth that can be removed for cleaning. Dentures/partials are customized and can contain varying numbers of teeth. Sometimes the entire set of upper and lower teeth have to be pulled and a denture created. Modern dentistry offers a myriad of custom dental implant-denture combinations to restore missing teeth.

There is no need to miss out on an attractive smile. Schedule your consultation with us at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry today by call us at 616-784-2377 . We would be honored to provide you with advanced dentistry in the Comstock, Michigan area.

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

 

 

Dental Implants Are The Solution For Your Missing Teeth

teeth implants Grand Rapids

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 120 million Americans are missing one or more teeth. About 35 to 36 million are missing all of their teeth in one or both jaws. Think you don’t have time to fix your missing teeth? Our team at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry , your premier general and cosmetic dentistry practice in the Comstock Park, Michigan, want you to know that it may not take as long as you think.

If you have missing teeth, dental implants are an amazing option with countless benefits. Replacing your missing teeth with dental implants is now more aesthetically appealing and natural-looking than ever before. We can help restore your missing teeth with dental implants within just a few visits. If you’re wondering how many visits it takes to get dental implants, the answer is that each patient is different. In most cases, complete implant procedures take fewer visits than they used to which is great news.

Missing teeth are not just unattractive, but they can also be detrimental to your long-term health; replacing them can dramatically improve your confidence, make you more open to smiling and can aid in your ability to chew better.  Dental implant treatment offers patients both full dental function and optimal aesthetics.  They can also serve as a stable foundation for dentures, support a dental bridge, or replace a damaged tooth, all without disturbing the surrounding teeth. Since dental implants mesh with your jaw bone, they help prevent bone loss and gum recession too.

We invite you to visit our team at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry  in the Comstock Park, Michigan. You no longer have to be uncomfortable with missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures. Call us today to start the process of restoring your smile. We would love to schedule a consultation and design a treatment plan just for you!

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

 

3 Reasons Not to Skip a Dental Checkup in Comstock Park

cosmetic dental Comstock Park dental checkup

Life gets busy. Sometimes it seems impossible to keep up with everything you need to do in a single day. At Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry, 7 Your dental hygiene should be at the top of your to-do list because putting it off can have several negative effects on your health. Furthermore, twice-yearly dental exams are indispensable for keeping your smile in shape!

Many times have we heard the phrase, “but my teeth feel fine.”We’ve heard this excuse before and the fact is that no news isn’t necessarily good news. Dental problems can be progressing without you ever being aware of them. Here are three of the most important reasons to schedule regular dental checkups in Comstock Park:

1. Your Gums May Be Receding
Gum recession doesn’t happen all at once. Gum tissue can move back almost imperceptibly until teeth and bone are in jeopardy. It’s also important to look for any signs of gum disease before it progresses and causes harm to your smile.

2. Decay May Be Lurking
When the acids in plaque start drilling into a tooth, you usually don’t feel it until it has passed through the enamel and dentin and hits the nerve. Ouch! By that time, there is a cavity in the tooth. Regular cleanings remove plaque before it can do any damage.

3. Prevent Oral Cancer
About 50,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. During your dental checkup, Dr. Hull and Dr. Stewart will do an oral cancer screening for early signs of oral cancer. As with all types of cancer, early detection is indispensable, so we will bring any potential areas of concern to your attention.

After a thorough examination, Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull will discuss any concerns they may have. Whether that’s flossing more often or discussing treatment you may be interested in such as dental implants or Invisalign braces, we will make certain that you get all the information you need to ensure your smile is bright and beautiful! Scheduling twice-yearly exams with our professional team at Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry will help you avoid dental problems in the future.

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

Maintaining a Healthy Smile

Comstock Park Top Cosmetic dentist

It is important to have a well-ingrained dental health routine. Poor oral care at home could result in gum disease, cavities, and tooth loss. Practicing daily oral hygiene will improve your health now and in the future. Trust us when we say, your future self will thank you. You’ll prevent tooth decay, plaque, and gingivitis.

Your dental routine should consist of brushing and flossing your teeth two to three times a day. Although this may seem exhausting, the reward of a healthy smile is always worth it. If you need advice on improving your dental health, please call our office to schedule an appointment for a thorough evaluation.

Improve Your Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry

If you’re interested in a smile makeover, Dr. Stewart and Dr. Hull can discuss procedures such as Invisalign invisible braces, dental implants, porcelain veneers, and Zoom! teeth whitening. Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry has been serving the Comstock Park area since 1974.  Our services include restorative dentistry, preventative dentistry, Invisalign clear braces, crowns/veneers, teeth whitening,  TMJ treatment and much more! We pride ourselves on offering professional services at a convenient location in Comstock Park. Our friendly staff is always ready to greet you when you walk through our doors. If you are looking for an excellent dentist, please call our office at 616-784-2377. A member of our kind and thorough staff can help you schedule an appointment for a cleaning and check-up.

Contact Stewart & Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

Make Your Teeth Happy In Comstock Park

Categories: Dentistry

Your Michigan Dentist And Cleaning Your Teeth Michigan is known for its beautiful smiles, and our local Comstock Park community is no exception. Keeping your teeth clean is an important factor in maintaining your beautiful Comstock Park smile. One of the benefits of regularly visiting your local Comstock Park Michigan dentist is a thorough teeth cleaning and a review of your brushing habits.

Our Comstock Park dental hygienist helps you keep your teeth clean by assessing the condition of your teeth, and recommending improvements to your daily teeth cleaning habits. Our Comstock Park oral hygienist can also professionally clean and polish your teeth at your regular Comstock Park dental check up. You should schedule a regular dental check up every six months. At Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry, located in Comstock Park, we specialize in general dentistry.

Cleaning your teeth in Michigan is the simple task of removing plaque (a sticky deposit that gets left on teeth in which bacteria thrives) and tartar (a calcium deposit that forms on teeth and aids in tooth decay). This is done by brushing regularly with a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and flossing. Brushing and flossing at least twice each day can keep plaque and tartar from building up on your teeth and results in cleaner, healthier teeth. A regular visit to your local Comstock Park dental hygienist will help you stay on top of problems that can go unseen.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends visiting your local Comstock Park, Michigan dentist at least once every 6 months for a regular dental check up and teeth cleaning. These regular visits to your Michigan dentist potentially prevent the undetected development of problems that can occur from neglecting to clean your teeth.

To keep that beautiful Comstock Park Michigan smile in good shape, come in for a dental check-up and teeth cleaning.

Call Stewart and Hull Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Comstock Park Michigan to make an appointment. You can reach us right now at 616-827-7019.

Dr. Bruce Stewart & Dr. Eric Hull

Women at Risk Tree

Categories: Dentistry

Women at Risk has returned to our office with a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. The glass ornaments are hand blown and $15 each. The ornaments make great housewarming and Christmas gifts. All proceeds go to the Women at Risk foundation.

Holiday Dinner

Categories: Dentistry

We’ve kicked off the Holiday Season at our office.  Our tree is decorated and we celebrated with our annual Holiday Dinner at Amore restaurant in Comstock Park.  Great friendships and great food!  What a way to start the holidays!

Celebrity Smiles in Grand Rapids

Try Porcelain Veneers In Grand Rapids How do celebrities obtain brilliant white smiles always ready for the red carpet or a close-up? Do they avoid coffee? Not likely. Every star-watching magazine is full of pictures of famous people holding Starbucks cups. Do they avoid tobacco? Some probably do, but many actors and fashion models with dazzling white smiles are smokers.

Very few people (famous and non-famous alike) with perfect teeth were born with them. (…Sure, no one is born with teeth, but you know what I mean.) Celebrities have perfect smiles because they have undergone cosmetic dentistry.

Guess what? You can also have a smile like a supermodel or television news anchor because Dr. Bruce Stewart & Dr. Eric Hull at Stewart & Hull have as much experience and training in advanced cosmetic dentistry as any Hollywood cosmetic dentist.

Dr. Stewart has been providing smile makeovers for dental clients in the Grand Rapids, Comstock Park and Rockford MI areas since 1974. Tooth whitening is often the most affordable cosmetic dental procedure. Tooth bleaching quickly perks up your teeth and makes you feel like smiling all the time!

Porcelain veneers are used often in Grand Rapids cosmetic dental offices because they correct myriad problems. Veneers remedy misshapen teeth, cracks and chips, and discolored teeth. Teeth that have been worn down extensively can also be repaired with veneers. Preparing a tooth for a porcelain veneer is minimally invasive. The latest veneers do not require the removal of healthy enamel. Another plus: veneers are usually less expensive than complete dental crowns!

Tooth bleaching and veneers are just two of the many cosmetic dental procedures performed at Stewart & Hull. Schedule a cosmetic dental consultation today by calling 616-827-7019. At our office, you will always receive VIP treatment, without the annoying paparazzi!

We look forward to helping you achieve a celebrity smile.

(Note that the celebrities pictured above are not affiliated with our site; they just have great smiles!)

Are you on following us on Facebook? View our post from March 22nd or click this link to win 2 tickets to hear University of Michigan Football Coach Brady Hoke speak in Grand Rapids on May 13th!

https://www.facebook.com/TheGrandRapidsCosmeticDentists/app_141149985924076

You can be one of four lucky patients to be our guest to have lunch, listen to Coach Hoke and get fired up for the coming football season! This contest ends April 30th, 2013.