Implants in Midtown East

What Are Dental Implants and How Can They Help Replace Missing Teeth?

Damaged or missing teeth are more than just a cosmetic dental issue— they can cause serious problems with the function of your mouth and jaw because of alignment changes. These changes can negatively affect the way we eat and speak. Additionally, they can make your teeth prone to unwanted shifting, cracking, or infection because of gaps or damage. This means it’s extremely important to protect your teeth and ensure your smile stays the way you want it to. 

Dental implants are one of the best tooth replacement options available because they can fully replicate natural tooth structure in form and function, ensuring your smile remains healthy and complete. Implant dentistry may be recommended for patients who are missing several teeth or a single tooth. Dental implants work by implanting a specialized, biocompatible prosthetic into the jawbone and then attaching a fabricated crown, bridge, or denture that blends in with your natural teeth. The result is an implant that works and looks just like your natural teeth.

Don’t let damaged or missing teeth affect your health, reduce your self-confidence, and keep you from feeling like yourself when you’re at your best. At New York General Dentistry, we help patients restore their smiles and improve their health with the most modern and high-quality dental restorations. Dr. Chern’s implant dentistry is among the best available in Manhattan.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Durability

Dental implants are virtually permanent with the right care, meaning they’re extremely durable and have a very high success rate. Implants can function just like your normal teeth so you don’t need to worry about chipping or cracking your implants with regular eating. This makes them a great long-term investment in your dental health!

Natural Look and Feel

Dental implants are extremely sophisticated and can mimic the natural look and feel of real teeth. A skilled and experienced dentist can make sure your implants are perfectly matched and blend in so it fits right in and looks like natural teeth.  You can feel confident that no one will notice a difference when you smile.

Effective Restoration

Dental implants are one of the most effective ways to restore your smile since they integrate directly into your jawbone and aren’t susceptible to factors like decay or cavities. With a dental implant that is easy to care for, you can restore the fit and function of your bite. Once in place, dental implants function like natural teeth.

The Dental Implant Treatment Process and What to Expect

The entire dental implant procedure takes place over several appointments to ensure the health of your teeth and the best results regarding the look and function of your new dental implants. After ensuring that any outside factors such as tooth decay are addressed, the implant is placed in the jawbone. Then, the implant can be covered with a crown or bridge. These steps generally take place over the course of four appointments with your oral surgeon.

Your First Appointment (60-90 minutes)

• During this appointment, Dr. Chern will discuss your options and examine your teeth for any concerns. If there are factors like shifting, decay, or infection, these will need to be addressed first.
• You’ll discuss your dental health history and Dr. Chern will take photographs of your face and teeth. This will give us a baseline to create your implant as well as help us track your progress going forward.
• During this appointment, Dr. Chern will explain the implant procedure and make sure it’s a good fit for your needs. This is a great time to ask questions and ensure you know what to expect with the implant process.

Your Second Appointment (45-60 minutes)

• You’ll be given anesthesia during this appointment so that you’re completely comfortable. This is usually either local anesthesia or IV sedation based on your unique procedure.
• Once you’re relaxed and ready, the implant prosthetic will be carefully placed into the jawbone through an incision in the gum where your teeth are missing. Most people experience less pain and discomfort than they expect during this step.
• After the implant socket is placed, you’ll be sent home to recover while it heals and integrates into the bone over the course of 3-6 months. Most people return to work within a day or so of placement, and you can manage discomfort with some over-the-counter medications.

Your Third and Fourth Appointment (30-45 minutes)

• At this appointment, Dr. Chern will evaluate your implant socket and take impressions and scans for the lab to create your dental restoration.
• A dental crown, bridge, or denture will be placed on the dental implant. Crowns are custom made to ensure that the replacement looks like natural teeth and matches the rest of your smile.
• Dr. Chern will check it for proper fit, function, and aesthetics.

Your Final Appointment (30-45 minutes)

During this appointment, Dr. Chern will make sure that your mouth is adjusting well to the new implant and restoration. She will go over all aspects of maintenance and care. Once the implant is in place, it will remain there for the long term, meaning it will essentially be a part of your mouth. Dr. Chern may also evaluate you for an occlusal splint or night guard. The splint helps maintain the longevity of the implant by equalizing the forces along with the prosthetic.