Looking at tooth replacements can be stressful. There are so many options, and some of them seem like they’re out of your price range. How soon can you have them? Do they look natural? Does it hurt? These are all important questions that can help you arrive at the best possible decision for your smile restoration and your health.
As your New York City dentist’s office, we want to help. We can walk you through your options, including payment plans, so you aren’t barred from life-altering restorative dentistry services like dental implants. With implants, you could have new, permanent teeth that look and feel as good as new.
Your new smile starts with the design. We use an intraoral scanner and X-rays to determine if you have sufficient bone density for implants. The scanner will map out your existing teeth and gum tissue, and the software will allow us to build a replacement tooth that fits your mouth and looks natural. We can even improve the aesthetics of your smile by tweaking the design.
If you’re healthy enough to support an implant, our dentist will schedule your dental implant procedure. During the surgery, the post of the implant is set into the jawbone and left to heal. Over the next several months, the bone will integrate with the post, strengthening its hold. For people with extensive bone loss, implants can sometimes be installed above the jaw bone but under the gums in the form of a metal framework.
Once the implants have healed, the crowns are attached to a connector piece called the abutment. The crown is the full, visible tooth and can be made from a variety of beautiful, long-lasting materials.
The posts that act as the root of the replacement tooth can be made of titanium (often used for other medical implants) or zirconia (a type of ceramic). Zirconia implants are great for people with metal allergies and sensitivities. Though they’re not as durable as titanium, zirconia is a strong contender in many other ways.
Zirconia implants are:
With either titanium or zirconia implants, you have a high likelihood of success. According to the Journal of International Society of Preventive & Community Dentistry, between 90 and 95 percent of implants are successful. In other words, the odds are really high that you’ll enjoy a lifelong smile restoration through dental implants.
Your Choice of Dental Crown
The most visible part of your implant is the crown itself. There are many kinds of dental crowns to choose from, including:
