If you are missing one or more of your teeth, you aren’t alone! Many adults lose their teeth for a variety of reasons, including injuries, advanced decay, or negative lifestyle choices, like smoking. Unfortunately, gaps left by missing teeth can cause bone loss, special issues, and problems with speech and diet, to say nothing of their impact on one’s self-confidence. However you have ended up with missing teeth, you have options for getting back your smile, and the expert team at Cohen Dental Care wants to help make that happen.
Dental implant technology has evolved significantly, enabling patients to have more durable, natural, and cost-effective results. In fact, in the United States, it is estimated that dentists place more than 5.5 million implants annually. So why does everyone seem to love this option? Dental implants are effective, strong, long-lasting, and natural-looking. For many patients, they are absolutely life-changing.
How Dental Implants Work
Dental implants are secured by titanium posts that we surgically place in the upper or lower jaw by attaching them to bone. With this advanced treatment, damaged or missing teeth are replaced with ceramic replicas that are durable and aesthetically pleasing. With the right care, implants can last a lifetime and resist factors that wear down natural teeth.
There are two phases in an implant procedure: placement and restoration. Conveniently, both can be done in our state-of-the-art Great Neck and Briarwood offices, saving you time. When we work with patients who are receiving dental implants, comfort and quality care are at the forefront of our minds. We encourage you to ask questions and feel as prepared as possible in the days leading up to your surgery.
Phase one is the surgical placement of the implant in the jaw. Typically, 2 to 3 months are needed for the implant to permanently integrate or fuse to the jaw bone. Once complete, we take an impression of the area and send it to a specialized laboratory where the ceramic teeth are fabricated to exacting standards, which are then placed over the implants and the process is complete. On that day, you’ll walk out of our office with a brand new smile.
Implants vs. Bridges, Partials and Full Dentures
There are many advantages to choosing implants over other treatments, such as bridge work, partials, and dentures. Below are a few:
1. Preservation
While any treatment is better than none, implants beat out competing options because they preserve existing bone structures from shrinkage and do not impact surrounding teeth as bridges and partials can. In fact, after your surgery is complete, your care will be similar to your current routine.
2. Look and Feel
Implants are designed to be both comfortable and functional. They truly are as close to natural teeth as you can get in a replacement. Because they are placed one at a time, implants are often difficult to distinguish from other teeth, and you can choose to replace one tooth or your entire smile. Plus, unlike dentures, implants don’t slip and don’t have to be removed for cleaning. Implants also have the advantage of being strong. In fact, you’ll still be able to eat all of your favorite foods, like corn on the cob, hard candy, and other treats that dentures can’t handle. That’s one less thing you have to look out for, and one more way you can feel confident when you smile.
3. Durability
When you have implants, you can treat them just as you would your normal teeth. At home, you should brush and floss your implants the same way you would your natural smile. Say goodbye to requesting special menu replacements and buying cleaning agents for dentures! As an added bonus, your false teeth can’t develop cavities. When you come in for exams and checkups, you won’t notice much of a difference in the way we care for them, either.
Modern implants provide the closest alternative to your natural teeth. Before your implant procedure takes place, we will walk you through everything you need to know in order to make the process as smooth as possible. We will discuss the fact that you may have to take some time off from work or daily activities to recover; we will also provide you with information about proper aftercare and medications that will support the healing process.
Contact Us To Book Your Dental Implant Appointment
You deserve a smile that you love, and we want to help you get it. If you’re curious if implants are the right fit for you and your lifestyle, let’s talk! Whether that’s implants, bridges, partial dentures, or full dentures. Fill out the contact form to request an appointment.