Dental Implants: Long Term Solutions

• Jan 21 2019

One of the questions that we get asked a lot at our office is: “If I have dental implants done, will I have to have them redone down the road?”

Dental implants are becoming increasingly popular, with more than a half million people having this procedure done every year in the U.S. The success rate for this type of tooth replacement is currently being reported as nearly 98 percent!  This is a very highly successful procedure in the field of dentistry. That amazing statistic combined with constant advances in the technology, as well as the eventual cost reduction for consumers, points to the potential for even more growth in the future.

There are a lot of reasons that motivate people to choose dental implants over more traditional forms of tooth replacement (dental bridgework). The number one reason patients choose implants over bridgework is that there is no need to drill and shape up the adjacent teeth with implants. Also, by placing an implant, one would prevent the bone loss and atrophy of the jaw that is associated with extracting teeth.

How do implants work?  Implants are made of titanium.  Once an implant is placed within the jaw bone, the bone grows and fuses with the implant creating a solid and durable platform. Once the implant is solid within the bone, we can place or attach a single or multiple crowns as the area dictates.

Alternatively, implants can be placed in an edentulous patient as anchors to secure a denture.  This prevents the embarrassment often associated with dentures that tend to move or make odd noises when talking or eating.

While the fact that dental implants are a long-term solution is a powerful selling point, there are many reasons for the upsurge in demand. Some of the most common advantages include:

• Natural feel — comfort and “the feel like the original tooth” is a major reason that people choose to go with implants.
• Not drilling adjacent teeth — As we mentioned above, with bridgework, one must drill and prepare the adjacent teeth. With implants,  drilling the adjacent teeth is NOT required.
• Bone preservation — once a tooth is extracted, bone is resorbed over time. Placing an implant prevents the bone from resorbing and melting away.
• No decay — implants and crowns on implants do not get decay.
• Boost to self-esteem — how we look probably shouldn’t be so important to how we feel about ourselves but, let’s face it, we all know that it is. A nice smile can have a huge impact on self-confidence and self-esteem which affects almost all areas of our lives.
• Improvement in speech — with help of dental implants under dentures,  there is no longer the issue of slippage that can cause speech to come out slurred or garbled.
• Comfort and convenience — while it may be possible to get used to the discomfort that is often caused by dentures, the inconvenience and embarrassment never goes away. Dental implants become as much a part of you as your own teeth.
• Put the joy back in eating — with implants you can bite in and eat your favorite foods again. Anything you feel confident eating with your natural teeth is okay to eat with your implants.

According to most people who have opted for dental implants, there was far less discomfort than they expected. In fact, everything is generally done with only local anesthesia and recovery usually calls for nothing more than an over-the-counter pain medication. What is important, however, is to make sure that the dentist you choose is trained and licensed to do implants.

Dr. Payam Cohen at Forest Hills Dentistry has over 20 years experience and is licensed in surgical placement and restorations of implants.  If you have questions about dental implants or about any of our services, whether dentistry or aesthetics, Forest Hills Dentistry is dedicated to delivering the highest quality services possible. We offer the latest and most current information and services to our patients with a new state-of-the-art facility in Forest Hills, Queens. Patient comfort, individualized care and complete satisfaction are our priority.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, you are invited to use our online form by clicking here.

Categories: Dental Implants