Your Full Guide to Dental Implants: All You Need to Know

Missing teeth is one of the things that most people dread. Being self-conscious about your smile is not something anyone would want. In the past, there were not many options for teeth replacement.

The good news is that now there are dental implants in Great Neck, NY that can alter your smile forever. Implant technology has come a long way. Modern-day implants offer so much versatility, which makes them the gold standard of tooth replacement.

Over three million Americans are currently reaping the benefits of using implants, and the number keeps on rising, with 500,000 people each year seeking this revolutionary treatment.

What Makes Dental Implants So Special?

As you might know by now, dental implants are fashioned from titanium. This is because the metal fuses with the bone without causing any toxicity. This means that when the titanium rod is placed in your jawbone, they merge and become one. This gives it excellent stability and functionality.

While dental implants are commonly referred to as tooth replacements, they are actually more like artificial tooth roots. No other treatment has this feature. This makes implants a more practical and long-term replacement option. Therefore, making them more desirable than other tooth-replacement treatments.

Regardless of the implant placement procedure being a surgery, it is one of the safest and most predictable surgeries when performed by our skilled dental implant team in Great Neck, NY.

Which Types of Dental Implants Are Available?

During your initial visit, our Board-Certified Periodontist in Great Neck, NY will carry out a thorough oral examination to check the state of your jawbone. The results will determine which type of implant you will receive. And the choices are:

• Endosteal implants. These are titanium rods placed or drilled into your jawbone, therefore acting as your tooth root. This is the most prevalent type of implant.
• Subperiosteal implants. Unlike endosteal implants, these titanium frameworks are placed underneath your gum and lie on the jawbone. These implants are used whenever you don’t have enough jawbone due to jawbone deterioration.

Once you have chosen the type of implant, two types of artificial teeth can be attached to the implant:

• Crowns. These are usually ideal when replacing one tooth or several teeth that aren’t adjacent to each other.
• Implant-supported dentures. When dentures are attached to implants, they become very stable. Unlike traditional removable dentures, they won’t be loosely attached to your gums.

Types of Dental Implant Methods

As mentioned above, implants are versatile and can be used in different ways to restore your smile. Depending on your desires and the strength of your jawbone, you can expect these implant methods:

• Single-Stage Implants

This method involves using a long implant so that it is drilled into the jawbone and is above the gumline. Therefore, the gum tissue will heal around the implant. The implant remains visible, and after you have healed, the abutment and prosthesis or artificial tooth will be attached to it. This eliminates the need for you to undergo another minor surgery to expose the implant.

• Two-Stage Implants

With this method, the implant will be inserted into your jawbone, and then the gum tissue will be stitched while you wait for it to heal after several months. After healing, you will have to undergo minor surgery so that the abutment and the artificial tooth can be attached to the implant. Two-stage implants are typically used when you are going for All-on 4 (5 or 6), single tooth implants, and multiple implants.

Other Procedures That Can Be Performed

Depending on the results obtained from your oral exam, our family dentist may decide to perform any of the following procedures to ensure the success of the procedure:

• Sinus Lift Surgery

This surgery is done to lift the upper jaw at the back of your mouth. A small area of the bone will be pushed higher, and then a bone from another part of the body will be used to fill the space.

• Ridge Modification

This is done to increase the bulk in your jaw. Typically, a bone will be used from another part of your body to help build up the jawbone.

With implants, you can get your smile restored permanently. For dental implants in Great, NY, contact Great Neck Dental Associates to schedule a consultation.