Dental Implants on Long Island

A dental implant replaces a missing tooth. It can also work to support dentures if the dentist feels that is the most appropriate solution. The implant itself is a small post made of titanium that is surgically implanted below the gum line into the jawbone. Titanium is the metal used in many prosthetics and artificial joints. The implant will fuse with the jawbone over time, and become a permanent fixture in your mouth.

Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth, serving as an option to traditional procedures such as dental bridges and dentures. The implant is made from a titanium post that’s embedded in the jawbone. It replaces the root of the original tooth, and it securely anchors the new tooth. A specially shaped piece of metal, the abutment, is fastened to the top of the implant, then the new tooth is attached to the abutment.

Dentures and bridges can fall out or need replacement, and can also limit the types of food a patient eats. Implants will stabilize the jawbone and help prevent further tooth loss, all while allowing you to eat whatever you want.

Implants can be embedded in the jaw without bothering surrounding teeth, and you can have multiple dental implants. However, your gums must be healthy and your jawbone must be able to support the implant. If the bone is too thin or soft, a bone graft may be needed before an implant can be used.

Every case must be properly assessed to ensure that the results are the best they can be for each patient. Every patient is different, from their existing dental and medical situation to their wants and needs from the procedure. Good dentistry means taking everything into account, from the aesthetic to the functional, to create dental implant solutions that will look great, feel comfortable, and work just like real teeth. 

Sometimes, it takes understanding what went wrong in the first place with the natural teeth to get it right with implants. When planning out the process, factors such as time and financial constraints should be considered, to ensure that patient expectations are managed. There are several treatment options, and they all carry their own sets of advantages and disadvantages. Once everything is fully considered and evaluated, we will present you with a treatment plan for your approval.

Dental implants are typically put into categories based on the type of procedure needed to place the implant.

• Single-Stage Dental Implants 

The single-stage technique involves surgically inserting an implant into the bone of the jaw. After placement the top will be even with the gum tissue, afterwards the gum tissue is stitched closed, allowing the top of the implant connector to remain visible. As a result, after healing, the impermanent restoration piece can be attached to the implant without the need for an additional operation to expose the head of the implant connector.

• Subperiosteal Implants

Subperiosteal implants are largely used to hold dentures securely in place in patients with inadequate bone elevation. These implants are placed inside the bone of the jaw, under the tissue of the gum, with the metal implant post exposed to hold the restoration. Subperiosteal dental implants are the most frequently used types when performing the single-stage dental implant procedure

• Two-Stage Implants

The two-stage technique involves a surgical placement of an implant into the bone of the jaw, the gum tissue is then stitched closed. Some months after the implant location has healed, a minor operation is completed to attach the crown base and the implant crown on the implant fixture.

• Endosteal Implants

Placed in the bone of the jaw, endosteal dental implants are the most frequently used implants for the two-stage implant procedure. These implants are primarily used as an alternative to a bridge or traditional dentures. Endosteal implants include various styles including threaded screw, smooth cylinder or bladed types.

Types of dental implants may also be categorized based on their shape or by the style of their attachment head.

Every implant will demand that the abutment or restoration be directly attached to the head. Because of this, there are three different connector types that are often used in dental implants:

• Internal Hex: As the name suggests, this attachment head is shaped like a hexagon. This connector features an internal opening in the implant head, which allows the implant support to be screwed into.
• External Hex: This connector type is shaped similar to the internal hex implant connector. However, these connectors are located at the topmost external part of the implant.
• Internal Octagon: Much like internal hex connectors, this connector type features an opening at the top of the implant in which the abutment can be fastened into. However, this opening is shaped like an octagon.

Long Island Dental Implants

At your first appointment, Dr. Brayman will give you a thorough dental exam to be sure you don’t have gum disease and to treat any issues like dental decay. Preparation for the implant includes X-rays and possibly a CT scan to get a better look at the jaw. We will also take an impression of your mouth which is used to make the new tooth.

After all, the preparation is done and the implant is ready, you’ll have dental surgery to install the metal post into the jawbone. Over the next 5-6 months, the area heals and the implant fuses with the surrounding bone. When you’re completely healed, the dental abutment and new tooth are attached.

1. They prevent bone loss

The loss of a tooth and triggers a chain of reactions within the mouth, some of which result in the loss of bone mass around the site of the missing tooth. Ideally, the root of a tooth doesn’t just support it and hold it into position, it also plays a key role in strengthening the jaw bone in a process referred to as ossification. With a missing tooth, the process dies down and begins to lose strength. One of the advantages of dental implants is that they help rekindle it thus boosting the strength and preventing further muscle loss of bone mass.

2. They support the facial structures

The jaws and strong healthy teeth by far play a pivotal role in supporting other facial structures. The fact that they are strategically located at the base of face implies that they are closely intertwined with several other facial muscles. In this case, missing teeth and shrinking jaws affect the rest of the face. If not addressed in time, you stand to suffer a sunken face and exaggerated signs of premature aging. These can be, nonetheless, reversed by dental implants.

3. They boost your self-esteem

The smile is often considered the best of a piece of garment anyone put on. Missing teeth and shrinking gums tend to affect your smile and this eats your self-esteem. The dental implants information for patients holds that the situation is even worse if an individual loses the frontal teeth. Dental implants, however, play contributory roles in helping a patient regain their confidence and esteem by helping reshape the once perfect smile.

4. They don’t limit what you eat

The bite strength and ability to chew often determine what you eat. What happens when you don’t have one or both frontal teeth or the molars? You will either have trouble biting into your favorite food or unable to comfortably chew them. Either case forces you to be picky with what you eat while ensuring that you forego some of your favorites altogether. One of the benefits of dental implants is that they are as strong as the original teeth and that by filling these dental gaps, you get to continue with your normal life and enjoying all your favorite meals.

5. They help recover your speech

Speech is achieved through the coming together of the tongue, teeth, and the different parts of the mouth such as the roof. Missing teeth and dental gaps, therefore, don’t just affect your smile, eat into your confidence, and dictate what you eat. They also affect your speech with the situation inclining towards more hampered speech in the case of missing front teeth.

After going through the dental implants information for patients, you can, however, rest easy and take confidence in the fact that while correcting such other nuances and imperfect smile, the dental implants will also ensure you can still communicate perfectly.

6. They offer a permanent solution to dental gaps

Why dental implants and not the other types of dental problem correctional processes as dentures you may ask? Because implants offer a permanent solution to the missing teeth problem. Unlike the removable dentures, dental implants are permanently affixed into the base of the jaw. You, therefore, don’t have to worry about them falling off or having to replace them every now and then.

7. They are not affected by cavities

The dental implants resemble the natural teeth in virtually every aspect. For instance, they will need to be taken care of like natural teeth and will even accumulate plaque and tartar if not properly cleaned. Key advantages of dental implants, however, lie in the fact that the material they are made of isn’t affected by some of the bacterial and other dental infections and thus can’t suffer decays or teeth cavity. You also don’t have to worry about the problem that prompted the teeth removal affecting the implant.

8. They keep the rest of the teeth stable

Getting a tooth implant also does more than just fill a dental gap or prevent further loss of bone mass. It helps keep the teeth stable. Have you wondered why the teeth are closely knit in the mouth? It helps keep the teeth strong, in position and guarantees its ability to execute its normal functions perfectly. By helping maintain the structural integrity of these teeth, and strengthening the affected part of the jaw, dental implants help reduce the shrinkage of the bone and weakening of the rest of the teeth.

9. They are cost-effective

The fact that dental implant treatment offers a permanent solution to the missing teeth affirms their cost-effectiveness in comparison to other dental treatment options. For instance, while dentures act as one of the most viable alternatives to implants, they are removable thus exposing them to such risks as breakage and loss. They also have to be replaced time after time to accommodate the changing dental dynamics.

Should you decide to move forward, it is important that you properly prepare for a dental implant procedure.  Meaning that you must be both physically and mentally ready. 

Here are a few things to note before you decide to move forward:

• You should be in generally good health.
• There cannot be any lingering dental diseases. All must be treated and eliminated before treatment begins.
• Any plaque should be removed by a professional dental hygienist.
• An inspection of the mouth must show that there is no inflammation or infection before surgery.

To determine if dental implants are right for you, you will need an initial consultation with your dental professional, and possibly, other specialists as needed.

During your consultation, your dentist will inspect your teeth as well as your gums to establish the quality and health of the underlying bone. This is done to verify that the bone density is sufficient for dental implants. This may involve an inside look with the use of x-rays as well as computer tomography (CT) scans. This is done to ensure that there is adequate bone available for the insertion of the dental implants as well as helping the dentist determine the precise location the implant needs to be placed.

Patients who are found to have inadequate bone density or deficient gum tissues may need bone or tissue grafts to help support successful surgical placement. The dentist may also suggest using smaller diameter dental implants, also known as mini implants, if the bone or tissues are not strong enough to support standard implants. During this visit, your dentist will advocate you on their recommended treatment plan, how lengthy the treatment process will be and what you may anticipate after each appointment or procedure.

During your consultation, the dentist will discuss options for various types of anesthetic and seek out what will work the best for you. The costs of your dental implants will be evaluated during this consolation visit as well. It is important to understand that costs can differ greatly from one procedure to the next and will be dependent on the kind of procedure being performed among other things.

Fortunately, if the mouth and the implants are properly cared for, then they may never need replacing. However, if the gum around the implant gets a disease or is unhealthy in some way, then the implant can become loose. It is important to follow a proper dental health routine, such as regular brushing and flossing, and regular cleaning and checkups. The implants will be in good shape as long as the mouth remains healthy.

Dental implants should be permanent — they can last a lifetime — but they can fail under certain circumstances. If you develop gum disease near the implant, infection and inflammation can damage the bone which could loosen the implant. While you don’t have to worry about dental decay, the dental crowns, bridges, or dentures attached to the implant can get cracked or damaged.

Certain chronic diseases, such as diabetes and autoimmune diseases, affect whether you’re a good candidate for dental implants. Since we are dedicated to practicing holistic dental care, we pay attention to the interaction between your overall health and dental problems. We will make sure you don’t have any health concerns that might prevent you from having a dental implant.

Dental implants can be done on the same day that a tooth is extracted. However, it depends on the health of the jawbone at the time. The procedure is officially called immediate implant placement. At the time of the extraction, our implant specialist can decide whether a patient is an appropriate candidate to have a dental implant on the same day. 

If it is not done on the same day, then an implant is usually placed anywhere between three to six months afterward. This is to allow time to rebuild the bone or to clear up any infections. In the meantime, a patient has a few options to fill the gap in the mouth while waiting for an implant. Those options are a bonded fake tooth, a removable flipper, or a removable denture.

An implant bridge does not use the surrounding teeth for support. Instead, it is held in place by an implant.

The implant will help to support the bones of the jaw when the bone loss may have been part of the issue for the lost tooth in the first place. Using an implant means that no healthy teeth will be affected by the process, and if done correctly will preserve gum health as well.

Implants are a permanent solution, which many patients find preferable. As opposed to a 5 – 15 year solution for traditional bridges.

However, it may be more appropriate to use a traditional bridge in cases where the teeth on either side of the gap are either missing or decaying. In those cases, the adjacent teeth need treatment themselves, and the surrounding gums, roots, and bones may not be healthy enough to support an implant.

There are a few reasons why you might want to choose implants over fixed bridges or other options. First off, getting implants will, in most cases, be similar to having a dental bridge installed. The more implants that are needed, the more expensive the process will be, but for one tooth, the price will be very comparable to a ceramic bridge. 

With a bridge, the teeth surrounding the installation have to be trimmed down, no matter what their health, to accommodate the crowns. With implants, there is no need to file down teeth or damage them in any way.  The bone that surrounds a bridge can start to decay over time, leading to bone loss. One of the best things about dental implants is that they work in conjunction with the jawbone. This keeps the bone healthy and does not lead to degeneration. 

The fact is, dental implants look better and feel better. If the teeth that support the dental bridge decay, or the gums recede, then bridges can become uncomfortable and less effective.

Removable dentures are a popular choice for replacing missing teeth, and they are usually more affordable for those who might have a concern with finances. However, dental implants can also support dentures. An implant-supported denture is known as an overdenture. If a tooth is missing, the bone underneath can start to recede. If a mouth has several missing teeth, then more bone will be lost. Traditional dentures need the existing bone for support, and when it recedes, dentures can become ill-fitting and uncomfortable. Dental implants will prevent bone loss by acting as the roots of the teeth so that dentures will stay supported and fit properly. 

Denture clasps can also place pressure on the natural teeth that remain, which can lead to issues down the road. They are also not as aesthetically pleasing as dental implants. 

By anchoring dentures, dental implants help patients live a more normal life. There is no loss of stability through bone loss, and no adhesives are used in the mouth. There is also no limitation on what a patient can eat or drink. 

Dentures can sometimes create difficulty speaking, or at least change the sound of a person’s voice. Implant-supported dentures are properly supported, so they do not interfere with speaking. Wearing dentures can be very difficult for those who have a low gag reflex, or an enlarged torus. Implant-supported dentures are custom-built so that they are as comfortable as possible and so that they don’t cause gagging or other issues.