Implants
Dental Implants in Middletown, NY
Choosing to have a dental implant is a very popular option for anyone who wishes to restore missing teeth or improve the look of his or her smile. And Cornerstone Dental is the place where residents of Middletown, NY should visit to have this procedure performed. Appointments for a consultation may be made by calling 845-342-4668.
Options for Replacing Missing Teeth
At Cornerstone Dental, patients have several options for restoring their smiles as well as replacing lost teeth – which is necessary for overall oral health. These options range from removable to more permanent fixtures, and include dentures, bridges, and dental implants.
Any patient who wishes to have implants placed must first consult one of the dentists at Cornerstone Dental. An examination will be conducted, as will a review of all information that is pertinent to the patient to determine whether he or she is a candidate for dental implants. The dentist will discuss with the patient all goals and expectations for treatment, any concerns, and financing options and expected costs of treatment. All these points will help the patient make an informed, educated decision regarding his or her dental health.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants don’t only replace missing teeth. They are the foundation for fixed and removable replacement teeth as well. A dental implant consists of a screw which is surgically placed in a patient’s jawbone to hold an artificial implant crown in place. The artificial implant crown actually looks and feels similar to natural teeth. For the most part, dental implants are made of titanium, and they are not harmful to living tissue that surrounds them. Once dental implants are placed into the bone, the healing process begins around the implant surface. The name of this process is “osseointegration.”
When it comes to meeting the needs of patients, the best word to describe dental implants is “versatile.” Dental implants provide the closest restoration possible to natural teeth. Upon completion of a dental implant procedure, a patient will be able to smile with long-lasting functionality, regardless of whether he or she is missing one or more teeth.
The dental implant options offered at Cornerstone Dental include:
- Single dental implant
- Multiple dental implants
- Implant-supported bridges
- Implant dentures
- All-on-4 dental implants
What are the Advantages and Benefits of Dental Implants?
Dental implants truly have distinct advantages and benefits when compared to more traditional dental treatments. These advantages and benefits are:
- No dental treatment is genuinely permanent, but dental implants are the nearest solution to replicating a missing tooth.
- Removable dentures rest on gums and soft tissue and can be uncomfortable. Implants are supported on bone and hard tissue, thus easing any discomfort.
- Where speech is concerned, the extra material that is part of removable dentures can affect how someone speaks. Dental implants don’t need as much material, so proper enunciation and pronunciation is easier.
- Implant crowns are typically made of porcelain, which is a major improvement over denture resin acrylics. And, since dental implants do not harm the tissue that surrounds them, they may last for a lifetime if taken care of properly.
- The cleaning of dental implants is like that of natural teeth. Additionally, patients no longer need to worry about losing or forgetting their dentures or needing them to be refitted once they wear down.
Who is a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Anyone who is healthy enough to undergo a root in dental extraction procedure can most likely be a candidate for dental implant treatment. The candidate’s oral hygiene and gums should be healthy and well-maintained before he or she undergoes dental implant surgery. His or her bone will be evaluated with X-rays and a 3D CBCT image. This is to determine if there is enough bone and whether the dental implant might interfere with vital structures, such as sinuses or nerve pathways.
Certain medical conditions that may preclude the placement of dental implants include:
- If the candidate is a heavy smoker
- Unchecked diabetes or heart disease
- Radiation therapy to the head and neck
- Osteoporosis that has been treated via bisphosphonate therapy
The assigned dentist at Cornerstone Dental evaluates each candidate and reviews his or her complete medical history to determine whether implant surgery is safe to perform.
How Does the Process for Dental Implants Work?
As mentioned earlier, any and every candidate who is interested in having dental implants inserted must first be tested by a Cornerstone Dentist to determine if they in fact qualify. If he or she turns out to be a candidate, a thorough examination and treatment plan will be performed to gauge the health of the teeth to ensure proper angulation and positioning of the dental implants to the jawbone.
Upon completion of the treatment plan, the dentist anesthetizes the candidate (now patient) so that the operation will be painless. It should be noted that there are other options for sedation, such as nitrous oxide (a.k.a. “laughing gas”) to help the patient relax. Once the patient is completely sedated, the dentist cuts a small incision in their gums. Prep work for the bone is carried out through specialized tools that are microscopic. Clean titanium drills then create “post space,” to mark the placement of the implant.
When the bone is fully prepared and ready for the operation, the titanium implant is rotated ¬– very gently – into place. A “healing cover screw” is then placed over the implant. Small sutures are then applied to close the gums. Patients should be made aware that these sutures may dissolve or need to be removed after approximately two weeks of the procedure.
A waiting period of several months begins, which is how long the complete healing process for the implant takes. Then, the implant crown is created. After the implant heals in the bone, the dentist takes an impression of it. (Here is another advantage/benefit: This process is quicker than traditional surgery, and likely won’t require needles or anesthesia. That’s because a dental implant does not have any nerve structures that feel pain!) The customized implant crown is then hand-crafted – and with all original parts. After the fabrication process is complete, the implant crown is screwed and secured onto the dental implant. The patient may now smile fully and chew food without worry.
What Happens if a Missing Tooth is Not Replaced?
Either waiting too long or outright neglecting a missing tooth cannot be undone. Failing to act leads to resorbing of the bone and gum recession, and additional surgical procedures may be necessary. Finally, anyone who is missing a tooth will hurt his or her likelihood of receiving dental implants in the future if it goes unchecked.
Additional advantages and benefits to choosing dental implants include:
- Increased self-confidence
- Not having to worry about gum recession and bone loss
- Having full functionality in being able to bite and chew food
- A genuinely bright and happy smile
Which Solution Would Work Best for You?
The highly qualified staff of Cornerstone Dental is committed to providing quality care to the residents of Middletown, NY. The individual concerns and dental needs of anyone who becomes a patient here will be addressed, along with a customized treatment plan that best suits the treatment of tooth loss.
For more information on dental implants or to schedule a consultation with the best dentists in Middletown, NY, contact our office at 845-342-4668 today.
