Dental Implants – Long Beach, NY

What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a titanium post that is placed beneath your gumline. Since the material they’re made from is biocompatible, once placed, the implant will begin a process called osseointegration, where it fuses with your jawbone and acts as a replacement for the missing root of your tooth. Then, we’ll place a connector piece called an abutment on top of the implant. This will secure a dental crown, bridge, or denture in place, completing the process.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants are one of the most popular tooth replacement options among patients because they offer a variety of benefits that set them apart from traditional restorations, including dentures and dental bridges. To learn more about what dental implants have to offer, be sure to schedule a consultation with our team today and we’ll be happy to go over all the details so you can make an informed decision on your care!

Some of the advantages you’ll be able to enjoy include:

Day-to-Day Benefits

• Dental implants are designed to not only look natural, but feel that way as well. That means everything from smiling to chewing to laughing all feel like how it did before you had your original tooth removed. This is thanks to the integration process that occurs between the titanium post and the bone tissue.
• Unlike other restorations, dental implants don’t require any special maintenance just to keep clean. They are one of the easier restorations to maintain, especially when you only need to replace a single tooth. Simply brush and floss as normal to keep food particles off the abutment and gum tissue. As a bonus, the restoration on top of the implant cannot develop decay!
• The restoration is attached to an abutment, which is then connected to the implant post. This ensures that the restoration is tightly in place and does not shift whatsoever while in use. This cannot be said for dentures, which not only take time to adjust to, but will eventually become loose as the underlying bone tissue changes shape.

Health Benefits

• The enhanced chewing power that dental implants provide means you can enjoy all your favorite foods with ease. Whether you want to eat your favorite steak dinner or simply eat apples and other crunchy foods without worry of your teeth falling out, dental implants can make it happen, even when you’re missing all of your teeth.
• Since you are able to eat a larger variety of foods, it’s much easier to expand your diet and protect your long-term nutrition. This can be especially important if you are older and want to still enjoy many foods while staying healthy.
• The moment a tooth is lost, the risk of future tooth loss goes up. That means once you replace teeth with dental implants, you’re automatically reducing your risk of losing more teeth in the future.

Long-Term Benefits

• Replacing teeth with dental implants works to preserve the shape and integrity of the jawbone. That means you can expect it to remain strong for many years following dental implant treatment. Of course, that also means the shape of the jawbone is retained, so you can expect your facial appearance to remain unchanged.
• There are few tooth replacement options out there that can tout the longevity dental implants can. In fact, they are capable of lasting well over 30 years! In many cases, patients end up enjoying their dental implants for the rest of their lives.
• There are few things more frustrating than a tooth replacement that you can’t rely on. The fact of the matter is dental implants hold a success rate that falls between 95% and 98%, giving you the confidence you need to live life to the fullest.

Are Dental Implants Right For You?

The best way to learn whether dental implants are the right choice for you is to visit us for a consultation. During your appointment, we’ll examine your mouth as well as capture digital images of your jawbone and facial structure. We’ll be looking to make sure that your jawbone can sustain dental implants that are placed. We’ll also speak to you about your medical history and ask about any medications you’re taking that could impact your body’s ability to quickly heal from the surgery. Once we’ve determined that you’d be a great match for dental implants, we’ll outline the entire process with you.

Missing Single Tooth

For a single gap in your smile, we can place one dental implant below the gums. Once the abutment is secured, we can then connect a custom-crafted dental crown to complete your entire arch of teeth and restore your smile. It will also keep surrounding teeth from drifting out of place to fill the gap.

Missing Multiple Teeth

Instead of getting a traditional bridge that requires you to alter your healthy, natural teeth, we can secure a custom bridge to two dental implants placed on either side of the gap in your smile. It will make eating, speaking, and other basic tasks easier and more comfortable.

Missing All Teeth

Many patients who are missing all of their teeth and have dentures complain about instability. Instead of dealing with slipping and shifting restorations, we will secure your denture onto anywhere from four to eight dental implants placed along your arch. This will help your replacement teeth feel natural, comfortable, and be fully functional.

Start-to-Finish Convenience

Unlike many other dental offices, at Dr. Glen’s Happy Teeth, our team is able to complete the entire dental implant process from beginning to end. That way, you get to stick with the same team of professionals that you’re familiar with and you trust. With our advanced training and education, our team is able to conduct the implant placement in-office. We make sure that it’s convenient, pain-free, and that we’re providing you with the excellent quality of care that you’ve become accustomed to since you first stepped foot in our dental office.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

Everybody’s smile is different, which means that there’s no singular cost to get dental implants because the procedure is custom-tailored to your unique mouth. Once we’ve examined your mouth and digital X-rays, we’ll be able to draw up a treatment plan and walk you through the details of your procedure, such as the cost, how many implants you’ll need placed, and what type of restoration you require. Our team will also be happy to answer any questions about financing with you as well!

Dental Implant FAQ’s

Because dental implants require a surgical process, there is much curiosity surrounding the treatment. For any specific concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our office. However, we know you may also be busy or just like to do your own research, which is why we’ve included the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about dental implants. Read on to learn more!

Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

Dental implants are incredibly popular, but when patients hear that surgery is required, they are often worried about pain. However, we will ensure that the area is completely numb with local anesthetic, plus we offer sedation for a greater sense of comfort. Additionally, there are very few pain-sensing nerves in the jaw, which makes the surgery much less painless than you may expect. The only discomfort you’ll feel is some slight soreness that occurs when the procedure is over.

How Successful Are Dental Implants?

Even a decade after surgery, dental implants have a success rate of 95% when placed by a skilled professional. That said, the success and longevity of your implants will depend on how well they are maintained. Make sure that you’re brushing, flossing, and visiting our office for checkups regularly. Additionally, implant success can vary based on the position in your mouth – molars experience higher pressure from chewing, making them more likely to fail.

Will I Have to Take Off Work for Dental Implant Surgery?

Usually, you will only have to take 1, maybe 2, days off of work. Every case is different, which is why we will always provide you with personalized recommendations based on your needs. Many patients elect to have their surgery on a Friday so they can take the weekend to relax. If your job is physically demanding, you should probably take at least 3 to 4 days off. You should also avoid significant exercise during this time to promote healing.

Will People Be Able to Tell That I Have Dental Implants?

Your implant restorations are custom made based on impressions of your smile. Once your restorations are placed, they will seamlessly blend in with the rest of your smile – no one will be able to tell you have them. In fact, because dental implants are rooted in the jaw, they allow your restorations to mimic the way that your natural teeth emerge from the gumline. Plus, you’ll never have to position your jaw in an unnatural way because of your dentures.

Do I Need a Bone Graft Before Getting Dental Implants?

Bone grafting is a treatment that transplants a piece of bone tissue to the jawbone, strengthening it so that it can accommodate dental implants. The grafted piece of bone can be synthetic, animal, or from your own body. Bone deterioration occurs because the jawbone is no longer receiving stimulation from the tooth roots when they’re lost. We will take detailed scans of your jawbone to determine whether grafting is necessary.