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Dental Implants – Sunnyside, NY

The Best Solution for Replacing Missing Teeth

Appearances aren’t your only concern when looking for a prosthetic to replace one or more teeth. It’s just as important that the restoration functions properly in your mouth so that you can eat whatever you want and maintain excellent oral health. To this end, many of Dr. Volker’s patients have benefited from anchoring their crowns, bridges, or dentures to dental implants. If you’re missing any number of teeth or want to give your current prosthetic an upgrade, call Dent-Care Dental to ask for a consultation to discuss options for replacing missing teeth with dental implants in Sunnyside.

Why Choose Dent-Care Dental for Dental Implants?

What is a Dental Implant?

Animated dental implant supported dental crown

Implants are titanium posts that are shaped like screws. Instead of resting on the gums or natural teeth, they are inserted into the jaw itself. Crowns and other types of prosthetic teeth are attached to the posts via small devices called abutments. This way, your new teeth can benefit from having “roots” that prevent them from slipping and enhance their chewing power. Each patient will receive a different number of implant posts depending on their needs.

The 4-Step Dental Implant Process

A woman sitting in a dental chair speaking with a dentist

  1. Consultation: The first step of every dental implant treatment is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Volker. He will discuss your ideal goals with you and walk you through all of your treatment options upon reviewing X-rays and conducting a thorough examination of your mouth. Our team will also provide you with a detailed cost estimate of your treatment so you know what to expect financially.
  2. Surgery: After you decide to move forward with your treatment plan, our team will than pair you with one of our partnered dental implant experts who will surgically place your implant posts. We work with highly experienced local professionals who we know can provide you with top-tier results.
  3. Healing: Following your dental implant placement, you will undergo a healing period of between three and six months. This will involve the fusion of your dental implants with your jawbone through a natural process called osseointegration. Then, small metal connector pieces called abutments will be attached to the tops of your implants.
  4. Restoration: Once your permanent, final restorations are completed in our in-house dental laboratory, and we’ll attach them to your abutments to complete your smile.

The Benefits of Dental Implants

Smiling older man and woman after dental implant placement

Regular bridges and dentures have plenty of advantages, but as far as new teeth are concerned, dental implants are considered to be in a class of their own. By stimulating the jaw, they encourage the body to maintain the bone so that it doesn’t break down in the future. Other benefits include:

Who Dental Implants Can Help

Older man considering dental implant tooth replacement

A healthy mouth and a strong jawbone are needed before dental implant placement. Each case of tooth loss is different, so the process itself will vary depending on your needs. At your initial consultation, we will discuss the different avenues available for restoring your smile and outline each of the processes.

Animated dental implant supported dental crown placement

Missing One Tooth

After an extraction or accident, a single tooth can be replaced with just one implant post. We can restore it with a dazzling dental crown made from the finest ceramic. When designed and placed properly, the implant and crown will make sure your remaining teeth don’t drift into the gap the original tooth left behind. Additionally, implant crowns offer a less invasive answer to replacing a missing tooth than traditional bridges, as no alteration of your surrounding teeth is necessary.

Animated dental implant supported fixed bridge

Missing Multiple Teeth

Two implants are enough to support multiple replacement teeth at once. Specifically, they can hold a dental bridge that’s filling in a gap left by at least three teeth in a row. Putting bridges on implants instead of natural teeth helps you preserve more of your remaining enamel in the long run, which is typically the healthier option.

Animated dental implant supported denture

Missing All Teeth

Are you tired of dentures that slip at awkward moments and need to be constantly removed for cleanings? With just four to six implant posts, it’s possible for an entire arch of new teeth to be permanently fixed in your mouth, where your prosthetic won’t move and can be brushed and flossed normally.
Learn More About Implant Dentures

Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

Three animated dental implant restorations

Paying for dental implants is a long-term investment; other replacement options might seem less costly at first, but unlike implants (which can easily last decades), they’re likely to need to be replaced multiple times in the future. Keep this in mind when asking about the cost of implant surgery. Also, the price will vary depending on the number of necessary posts as well as other factors that we’ll discuss with you.

Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants

man smiling after getting dental implants in Sunnyside

Over the past few years, dental implants have become the most popular solution for missing teeth. That’s mainly because of their ability to restore a beautiful, complete, and fully functioning smile for a lifetime! Of course, that’s only the case if you take proper care of them. By following the right precautions, you can keep your smile in its very best shape for years to come. If you’d like to learn how to maintain your implants properly, continue reading or give our office a call today!

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

couple brushing teeth together in bathroom

Just because dental implants can’t get cavities doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to loosen up on your oral hygiene routine. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing every day with an ADA-approved mouthwash are essential to keep your mouth free of harmful bacteria. Otherwise, failing to take care of your newly improved grin can potentially cause bone and tooth loss.

Eat a Balanced Diet

young woman eating healthy food

Once fully healed, you’ll be able to eat almost any food you want! However, you want to avoid overindulging in sugary, acidic, and starchy foods. Doing so can be problematic, causing serious issues for your dental implants. Instead, maintain a diet full of nutrient-rich foods like whole grains, lean proteins, fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. Eating foods rich in calcium and vitamin C will help you keep your jawbone strong and oral tissues healthy!

Break Bad Oral Habits

man biting his fingernails

Do you smoke? Chew on pens or pencils? Bite your fingernails? Use your teeth as tools? These habits may seem harmless, but they can be detrimental to your smile. Unless you break these poor habits, your chances of damaging your teeth or experiencing dental implant failure are much higher. It’s a good idea to keep sugar-free gum in your pocket in case you ever feel tempted to chew on a non-food item. If you need help quitting smoking, ask your dentist for help! They can provide you with the support, resources, and guidance you need to make the feat as easy as possible.

Protect Your Dental Implants

man putting on mouthguard

If you regularly play sports or grind your teeth at night, ask our team at Dent-Care Dental about a custom-made oral device. An athletic mouthguard can protect your pearly whites from any impact should you sustain a blow to the face. Meanwhile, a nightguard can keep your enamel safe from the force of grinding your teeth at night.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

woman during dental checkup in Sunnyside

Aside from good oral hygiene, you must visit your dentist regularly to keep your mouth in tip-top shape. If you come in every six months for a checkup and cleaning, we can monitor your implants and ensure no problems are developing. With early intervention, we can help you avoid experiencing painful complications down the line.

Dental Implant FAQs

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How long do dental implants last?

Unlike traditional dentures and bridges that must be replaced every five to 10 years, dental implants can last for over 3 decades. You can even rely on them for the rest of your life, however their success depends directly on your health and lifestyle. To get the most out of your dental implants, brush twice a day and floss once a day. Additionally, use nonalcoholic mouthwash daily for a more thorough cleaning. Do your best to avoid chewing on extra hard or sticky foods, and don’t use your smile as a tool. Lastly, visit our office for regular checkups and quit using tobacco products (if you do) because they promote infection.

Are dental implants removable?

No – dental implants are surgically placed in the jawbone to mimic tooth roots, which is why they cannot be removed except by a dental professional. Dental implants fuse to the bone during a process called osseointegration. This is possible because the tooth replacement is made of biocompatible materials, allowing it to become a permanent part of the body. However, some implant dentures are designed so the denture can be taken out for cleaning. These are sometimes called Snap-On dentures, giving patients the option to pop their denture in and out easily with the stability of dental implants.

Does getting dental implants hurt?

Many people learn that implants require surgery and quickly assume that the procedure is painful. However, it’s much more comfortable than you may have guessed. We always numb the mouth with local anesthetic, plus we offer various sedation options for a deeper sense of calm and relaxation. One factor that makes this procedure virtually painless is that the jawbone doesn’t contain very many pain-sensing nerves. The surgery itself shouldn’t hurt, but it’s normal to experience some slight soreness and discomfort after the procedure.

Are dental implants safe?

You can enjoy confidence and peace of mind knowing that dental implants have a success rate of 95% even after 10 years. This tried-and-true tooth replacement is a great option for most patients with good health. Problems like low jawbone density or gum disease can cause your implants to fail, however these issues can also be addressed with preliminary treatments. During an initial consultation, we will review your medical history and examine your mouth. If you have cancer, diabetes, or other medical conditions that may negatively impact surgery, we can discuss your specific case during an appointment.

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