EMERGENCIES ARE WELCOME 718.793.6669 FOREST HILLS, NY
 

Are dental implants right for you?

  • Nov 14 2016

Teeth play a very important part in day-to-day life. They help you bite and chew so you can say nourished. They help shape your face. And your smile can be the first thing that people notice about you. But what if your teeth aren’t as strong as they used to be? What if some are missing, broken, or weak? No matter how well you treat your teeth, over time, they can simply wear down. If this the case for you, it might be time to consider false teeth options. These days, you have several options for replacement teeth, including dentures and bridges. But in recent years, dental implants have emerged as a popular alternative in New York and beyond. You might even have a friend or family member who has implants.

Replacing your natural teeth is a major life decision. If you’re in the market for replacement teeth and torn between implants and other options, consider answering the following questions as you make your decision.

How important are aesthetics?

It used to be that fake teeth — from dentures made with wood to oversized porcelain mouthpieces — were quite obvious. Modern dentistry advances have changed this, however. Dentures are more realistic, both in size and color. Still, the most realistic looking option tends to be implants. Additionally, they are the strongest option. You can treat implants just as you would treat your original teeth. You’ll brush, floss, and use mouthwash in the same way — but do so knowing that they are even more durable than natural teeth and will likely not need to be replaced.

How strong are your jaw bones?

The implant process involves inserting metal into your current bone structure. First, we drill titanium rods into the jawbone (the number of rods depends on how many teeth are being replaced). Your natural bone will heal and fuse to the posts in six to 12 weeks. A small connector will then be attached to the implant post. Next, your custom-made replacement teeth will be cemented or screwed into the abutment, completing your smile. As you might imagine, it’s important to have a strong bone structure for the post to attach to. If your jaw is weaker, dentures might be the better option.

What types of food do you enjoy eating?

Since implants can be treated just like natural teeth, you won’t need to make many, if any, adjustments to your diet — so you can dig into that corn on the cob, snack on sticky caramels, and enjoy biting into whole apples. Bridges and dentures, on the other hand, are not made to withstand this type of treatment. While you can eat with them in place, you might want to remove or adjust them with certain foods.

This is not a complete list of things to consider, and even if you feel like implants are ideal, it’s important to remember that they don’t work for everyone. The best thing you can do is come in for a professional evaluation. We’ll discuss your situation and get you on the path to a smile you love.

Categories: Dental Implants