About Dental Implants

A dental implant supports a replacement for a missing tooth or teeth.  Implants can be used to replace one tooth, multiple teeth or to give strong support to removable partial or full dentures.  The implant is a titanium cylinder placed in the jaw bone in the area of a missing tooth or missing teeth.  After a period of time bone grows into the implant and a post called the abutment is placed in the implant.  It is the abutment that connects the implant to a crown, bridge or denture.

 

The Advantages of Implants Compared to Fixed or Removable Dentures  

 

They are durable. Implants are very durable and can last many years. With good care, many implants last a lifetime.

They offer improved comfort. Dental implants feel like they are your own teeth.  Because the bone grows into the implant, an implant becomes part of your jaw and eliminates the discomfort removable dentures may cause. 

Implants are easier to eat with compared to a removable denture.  Dental implants function like your own teeth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods with confidence and without pain.  Slipping dentures can make chewing difficult.

A single tooth implant does not require reducing other teeth as a tooth-supported bridge does.   Because nearby teeth are not altered to support the implant, the surrounding teeth are less at risk of future damage.  It is also much easier to clean than a fixed bridge that is attached to teeth near the missing tooth. Improved speech. With poor-fitting dentures, the teeth can slip within the mouth causing you to mumble or slur your words. Dental implants allow you to speak without the worry that your teeth might slip.

Confidence   Dental implants will allow you to once again speak and eat with     comfort and confidence!  They are secure and offer freedom from the irksome clicks  and wobbles of dentures. They'll allow you to say goodbye to worries about misplaced dentures and messy pastes and glues.

 

Can Anyone Have Dental Implants?

In most cases, anyone healthy enough to undergo a routine dental extraction or oral surgery can be considered for an implant procedure. Patients should have healthy gums and enough bone to hold the implant. They also must be committed to good oral hygiene and regular dental visits. Heavy smokers, people who have uncontrolled chronic disorders such as diabetes or heart disease, or patients who have had radiation therapy to the head or neck area need to be evaluated on an individual basis. If you are considering implants, call 212-749-0600 to schedule a consultation appointment to see if they are right for you.

Is Pain Associated with Implant Placement?

Most people receiving dental implants say there is very little discomfort involved in the procedure.  Local anesthesia is used during the procedure.  After the implant, mild soreness can be treated with over-the-counter pain medications such as Tylenol or Advil.  

Does Insurance Cover the Cost of Dental Implants?

Most insurance carriers do not cover the implant part of the tooth replacement. However, most plans do cover the crown portion of the tooth replacement. 

How Do I Care for My Implant?

Dental implants require the same care as real teeth, including brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups.