Dental Implants in Grand Rapids
Dental implants in Grand Rapids, MI placed and restored by a Mayo Clinic-trained prosthodontist, with crowns and bridges crafted in our own on-site dental laboratory.
Greenland Advanced Oral Care
Dental Implants in Grand Rapids
A dental implant replaces the root of a missing tooth, not just the visible crown. It is the closest thing modern dentistry has to a natural tooth — it does not rely on the teeth beside it, it keeps the jawbone stimulated, and it is cared for with a toothbrush and floss. Dr. Greenland both places and restores implants, and the crown that goes on top is made in our own laboratory.
How it works
What to expect with dental implants
- Step 1
Assessment and 3D planning
We evaluate bone volume, gum health, and your bite, and scan digitally to plan the exact position and angle of the implant before any surgery is scheduled.
- Step 2
Placement and healing
The implant post is placed under local anesthesia, with sedation available. Bone then integrates with the post over roughly three to six months, and we provide a temporary restoration in the meantime where appropriate.
- Step 3
Custom restoration, made here
Once integration is confirmed, our on-site laboratory fabricates your abutment and crown, shade-matched in person and adjusted the same day if needed.
Why patients choose it
Benefits of dental implants
Replaces the tooth root, preserving jawbone that would otherwise shrink
Does not require reshaping the healthy teeth next to the gap
Restores full chewing force — implants handle normal biting load
Cleaned like a natural tooth, with a brush and floss
Prevents adjacent teeth from drifting into the empty space
Placed and restored under one roof, with the crown made in our lab
The basics
About dental implants
When a tooth is lost, the jawbone that used to support it begins to resorb. Within the first year, a meaningful amount of that bone width can disappear, and the teeth on either side start to drift into the gap. Over time this changes the bite, makes chewing harder, and can give the lower face a collapsed appearance.
An implant interrupts that process. A biocompatible titanium post is placed into the jawbone, where bone cells grow directly onto its surface in a process called osseointegration. Once fused, the post carries chewing load the way a natural root does, which keeps the surrounding bone working and preserved. That is why an implant is usually the recommendation when the neighboring teeth are healthy — it solves the problem without grinding down two good teeth to anchor a bridge.
New Patient Special
FREE
Complete your first appointment and get a FREE electric toothbrush. Your visit includes a dentist consultation, comprehensive exam, X-rays if needed, a detailed oral scan, and a cleaning if applicable.
New patients only. One per patient. Mention this offer when booking.
When an implant is the right answer
Implants are usually the strongest option for missing teeth, but they are not the only one, and they are not right for everyone. An implant tends to make the most sense when:
- The teeth on either side of the gap are healthy and you would rather not reshape them for a bridge
- You want to preserve the jawbone in that area over the long term
- You are replacing a back tooth that carries significant chewing load
- A removable partial denture would be uncomfortable or unstable
- You need anchors for an implant-supported denture or full-arch restoration
The process, step by step
Consultation and planning. We examine the site, check gum health, and take digital scans and imaging to measure available bone. Implant position is planned before surgery, not during it.
Preparing the site. If the tooth is still present, it is extracted, sometimes with a bone graft placed at the same time to preserve the socket. If bone has already been lost, grafting may be needed as a separate step with its own healing period.
Placing the implant. The titanium post is placed into the jawbone under local anesthesia. Most single-implant appointments take about an hour.
Osseointegration. Bone grows onto the implant surface over roughly three to six months. This is the part that cannot be shortened — it is what makes the implant strong enough to chew on.
The restoration. Once integration is confirmed, we take a final scan and our laboratory fabricates a custom abutment and crown. You come in for the fit, we verify the bite, and the tooth is finished.
Full-arch and multiple-tooth options
You do not need one implant per missing tooth. Several implants can support a fixed bridge spanning a larger gap, and a full arch can often be restored on four to six well-placed implants. For patients who have been in removable dentures for years, an implant-retained overdenture that snaps into place is frequently life-changing — it stays put while eating and speaking.
These larger cases are planned as full-mouth reconstruction, where the bite is rebuilt as a single design rather than one tooth at a time.
Why patients travel to us for implant work
Dr. Greenland completed a three-year Advanced Prosthodontics Residency at Mayo Clinic with an intensive focus on implant prosthodontics in a multidisciplinary hospital setting. A meaningful share of our implant cases are revisions — implants placed elsewhere that loosened, fractured, or never fit correctly.
Because our laboratory is inside the building, the person designing your implant crown can examine your teeth directly. For front teeth especially, where translucency and surface texture decide whether a restoration looks real, that access matters.
Ready to find out whether an implant is right for you? Book a consultation or review our new patient information first.
What it helps
Conditions we treat with dental implants
Do dental implants hurt?+
The placement is done with local anesthesia, so you should not feel pain during the procedure. Most patients describe the recovery as easier than a tooth extraction, with soreness for a few days that is managed with over-the-counter medication. Sedation options are available if you are anxious.
How long do dental implants last?+
The implant post itself often lasts decades and can last a lifetime with good hygiene and regular checkups. The crown attached to it is a wearing part and may need replacement after a number of years, similar to any crown.
Am I a candidate for dental implants?+
Most people are. The main requirement is enough healthy jawbone to hold the implant, along with controlled gum health. If bone volume is insufficient, grafting can often build the site up first. Smoking and uncontrolled diabetes affect healing, and we will discuss that openly with you.
How long does the whole process take?+
Plan on several months from placement to final crown. The waiting is bone integration, which cannot be rushed without risking the implant. Some cases allow a temporary tooth during healing so you are not without a tooth in a visible spot.
How do I take care of an implant?+
Brush and floss it like a natural tooth, and keep your regular cleaning appointments. Implants cannot get cavities, but the gum and bone around them can develop inflammation — peri-implantitis — which is the most common reason an implant fails.
Can you fix an implant that another dentist placed?+
Frequently, yes. Repairing or replacing implants placed elsewhere is a regular part of our practice, and it is one of the reasons patients are referred to a prosthodontist. We will assess whether the existing implant can be restored or needs to be replaced.
What does a dental implant cost?+
Cost depends on how many implants you need, whether grafting is required, and what restoration goes on top. We are not the lowest-cost option in Grand Rapids, and we will give you a written estimate before you commit to anything.
Will my insurance cover implants?+
Some plans contribute and some do not. We are a fee-for-service practice and will file your claim as a courtesy so any reimbursement goes directly to you. Financing with up to 24 months interest-free is available.
What is the alternative if I am not a candidate?+
A fixed bridge or a removable partial denture can both replace a missing tooth well. We will lay out the trade-offs of each honestly rather than steering you toward the most expensive option.
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Patient reviews
What our Grand Rapids patients say
“I can not Thank Greenland Advance Oral Care enough. For their professionalism, knowledge, kindness and guidance through my extensive dental procedures. It took around 6 months to complete. But I could not be happier with the end results. I would highly recommend their services and would not hesitate to call them again if needed.”
“Dr. Greenland is phenomenal! I felt listened to and he really took the time to explain the options for my upcoming treatment. He was knowledgeable and took the time to answer all my questions. Each staff member I encountered was kind and helpful. I will continue my dental needs with GAOC. Absolutely the best dental professional I’ve worked with in a long time.”
“I’m in the process of whole mouth restoration. I have had my share of not great dental experiences. I could not be more pleased with this process. Dr. Greenland and his assistant Stacey have been wonderful to work with. He has an in-house lab where the crowns/teeth are made.”