Dr. Sal Lotardo and the team at Bella Smiles offer full service dental implants in Riverhead, NY. This includes everything from the surgical placement of the post to the attaching your final dental restoration. Our team will help you with every step of the process. We will oversee all phases of treatment for consist care and predictable results. Our dentists place all types of dental implants at Bella Smiles in Riverhead and Roslyn, NY. We will ensure that your implant provides long-lasting function with advanced treatment planning.
Dental implants provide the most natural-looking and functioning replacement teeth. When you compare dental implants to dentures and dental bridges, it’s easy to see that they are the best option for tooth loss.
A dental implant supported restoration functions much like natural teeth. It offers key benefits for long term dental health that go beyond the aesthetics of your smile.
Dental Implants in Riverhead, NY
Dental implants have over a 95% success rate. They offer the most beautiful and natural-looking result. Additionally, they offer important benefits for the long-term health of your smile and your well-being.
- Bone retention in the jaw: the implant post acts like the lost tooth root by stimulating healthy bone cell growth to reduce bone loss and jaw shrinkage
- Permanent restoration: secure a denture or bridge for a stable restoration that provides a confident smile
- Normal diet and speech: a dental implant enables you to enjoy a full variety of nutritious food and normal speech for confidence in social interaction
About Dental Implants
A dental implant consists of 3 main parts. These parts work together to replace all parts of the lost tooth for more stable dental health.
The implant post is made of titanium and placed into the jaw bone, acting as the tooth root. This is the main part of the dental implant. It plays a key role in maintaining a healthy jaw bone structure, supporting your smile, and reducing jaw shrinkage which can make you appear older. The maintenance of your jaw bone also helps to keep your existing teeth from shifting and affecting the fit of your bite.
An abutment is the next part that your dentist will attach to the implant. There are many different types of abutments available. The type you need depends on the type of dental restoration you need.
The final piece is the dental crown which we will use to replace a single tooth. We can also secure a dental bridge if you are missing multiple consecutive teeth. Full mouth implants and dentures are available if you are missing a full arch of teeth. An implant supported denture and an implant supported bridge will be custom made to blend in naturally with the rest of your smile.
Replacing One Tooth With An Implant
A dental implant is highly effective at replacing a tooth. It does not require Dr. Lotardo to degrade any healthy existing teeth for support, which he will have to do for a dental bridge. If you lack enough bone to support the implants, we may suggest a bone graft to build it back up.
The process will begin with the surgical placement of the titanium post into the jaw. This will require a healing time of several months to ensure a healthy and lasting result. Once the gums have healed, the abutment will be attached and also allows several weeks for complete healing.
At this point, a temporary crown may be placed to restore function. The final restoration of your new tooth will be the permanent attachment of a custom dental crown. Dr. Lotardo will adjust the new crown for a comfortable fit and to ensure your bite feels natural.
Dental Bridge vs Dental Implants
If we need to replace several consecutive teeth, you should take into consideration the benefits of dental implants versus a dental bridge:
- Overall oral and physical health: a good candidate for implants has both good oral health and overall health, important for enjoying a healthy recovery after the surgical phase
- Sufficient bone structure in the jaw: Dr. Lotardo will determine if you have enough bone structure to support a dental implant
- Stability and longevity of results: dental implants, or an implant-secured dental bridge, will provide a permanent and stable restoration that will support long term oral health
Cost is another consideration when comparing your options. It is important to look at both upfront cost and projected maintenance cost or future replacement concerns. Dental implants will usually be more expensive up front, but require no additional maintenance costs and will provide a long-lasting result.
Schedule a Dental Exam & Dental Implant Consultation
If you have a missing tooth or several missing teeth, we offer solutions in our Roslyn, NY, and Riverhead, NY area dentist office. Schedule an appointment with Bella Smiles today.