We know how important a smile is. On a daily basis, we work with a range of individuals to help them overcome various oral challenges. Your teeth do everything from helping you bite and chew to shaping your face and allowing you to communicate. But what happens when they lose strength, break, or go missing? Regardless of how well you take care of your teeth at home, with time they can simply wear down, leaving you with gaps and weakness. Fortunately, there are several options for restoring your smile and your tooth function. In recent years, one of the most popular choices for restoration is dental implants.
Implants have a reputation for being strong, aesthetically pleasing, and healthy. They have been around since the 1960s and have only improved in quality since that time. There are two stages in an implant procedure: placement and restoration. Uniquely, both of these phases can be done in our Great Neck and Briarwood offices, so you not only save travel time but get to work with our friendly staff each step of the way!
Understanding the Restoration Stage in the Dental Implants Process
To begin, we will identify which teeth will be replaced with implants. Some individuals choose to replace only a few select teeth, while others opt for an entirely new smile. We will recommend what is best based on your individual situation. Next, we will surgically place the implants in your jaw. These titanium posts will typically take 2 to 3 months to permanently integrate and fuse with your tissues.
Once complete, it’s time for the restoration stage. For this part of the process, we will take an impression of your mouth and send it to a laboratory. There, your new teeth will be created from high-quality ceramic and made to match your natural appearance. Your new ceramic replicas will be attached and your smile will be complete!
Restoration is certainly the most exciting part of the dental implant process. You’ll go from a perhaps uncomfortable and unsightly smile to a full, natural one in a matter of hours. We work carefully with outside facilities to make sure that your new tooth shading matches the rest of your teeth. Since your look will be customized, we can also control the size of your replacements and how they are positioned. In fact, most people won’t even recognize that you have implants! Keep in mind that the restorative process impacts two things: your appearance in the function of your mouth.
Function
Replacing your natural teeth is a big decision, so it’s important that you choose a technique that’s right for you and your lifestyle. Dental implants are the strongest option for replacing natural teeth. While dentures and bridges are helpful in some cases, implants can hold up to the same treatment as real teeth. Additionally, implants are made to last; with the right care, your new smile can last a lifetime. Finally, implants actually preserve your existing bone structure to avoid shrinkage, and they don’t impact surrounding natural teeth as bridges and partials can.
Of course, you’ll still need to put in a little effort. Although implants can’t develop cavities, they require the same brushing, flossing, and mouthwash that a natural smile needs. We also recommend that you stop any tobacco use to keep the rest of your mouth in similarly healthy shape.
Contact Our Office Today to Get Started on Your Dental Implants
If you’re ready to take the next step and learn about restoration with the use of dental implants, we’re ready to chat with you! Fill out the contact form to request an appointment and start your journey today.