Dental Implants in Midtown Manhattan

Who dental implants can help

Implants are worth discussing if you:

• are missing a tooth because of decay, a crack, gum disease or an injury
• are missing several teeth, side by side or in different parts of your mouth
• have a tooth that can't be saved and will need to come out
• wear a partial denture that feels loose or uncomfortable and would prefer fixed teeth
• would rather not have healthy neighboring teeth reshaped to hold a bridge

A good candidate has healthy gums, enough jawbone to hold an implant (or bone that can be rebuilt) and general health that allows minor surgery. Smoking, poorly controlled diabetes, some medicines that affect bone, past radiation to the head or neck and heavy grinding can affect how an implant heals and how long it lasts. None of these automatically rules you out, but each one needs a frank conversation first. Implants are usually placed only once the jaw has finished growing, so they rarely suit children and younger teens.

What a dental implant is

An implant tooth has three parts:

• The implant. A small screw-shaped post, usually made of titanium, that sits in the jawbone where the root used to be.
• The abutment. A connector that attaches to the implant and rises just above the gum.
• The restoration. The crown, bridge or denture you see and chew with.

As the area heals, the bone grows tightly against the surface of the implant. This bond, called osseointegration, is what lets an implant handle the force of chewing.

One implant can carry a single crown, and two or more implants can support a bridge, so you don't always need an implant for every missing tooth. When most or all teeth in a jaw are missing or failing, a full arch can be attached to four or six implants; see our All-on-4 and All-on-6 page.

Benefits and what to expect

Compared with other ways of replacing a tooth, an implant has several advantages:

• It stands on its own. A traditional bridge relies on crowns over the neighboring teeth, which have to be reshaped. An implant doesn't.
• It stays put. Implant crowns and bridges are fixed in place. You brush and floss them like natural teeth.
• It helps preserve bone. The jawbone slowly shrinks where a tooth is missing. An implant carries chewing forces into the bone, which helps maintain it.
• It is made to blend in. The crown is shaped and shaded to match your other teeth.

Implant placement is a minor surgical procedure. We use anesthesia so the area is numb, though you may feel pressure. Soreness, swelling or bruising is common for a few days, and we'll go over aftercare with you before you leave.

Implants can't get cavities, but the gum and bone around them can become inflamed and infected, a condition called peri-implantitis. Daily cleaning and regular checkups and cleanings matter as much for implants as for natural teeth. Like any treatment, implants carry risks: an implant may fail to bond with the bone, and crowns can chip or wear. Results vary from person to person, and we'll discuss the risks and alternatives before you decide.

How implant treatment works, step by step

1. Consultation and examination. Dr. Avner examines your teeth, gums and bite, reviews your health history and medications, and takes X-rays to check the bone and nearby nerves and sinuses. He speaks English, Spanish, Russian and Farsi.
2. Your treatment plan. We explain how many implants you need, what will go on them, any treatment needed first, the expected timeline and the fees, along with alternatives such as a bridge or a denture.
3. Getting the site ready. A damaged tooth is removed first (see tooth extraction), and active gum disease is treated. Sometimes the implant can go in at the same visit; often the area needs to heal first.
4. Placing the implant. With the area numb, Dr. Avner places the implant in the bone. The gum is closed over it, or a small healing cap is left showing.
5. Healing. The bone bonds with the implant, often over several months. If the gap shows when you smile, we'll discuss a temporary tooth for this stage.
6. Making your crown or bridge. Once the implant is stable, the abutment is attached and impressions are taken. Our office has an on-site dental laboratory, which we use for restorations such as crowns and bridges.
7. Fitting and follow-up. The final crown or bridge is attached and your bite is adjusted. Regular checkups then let us monitor the implant and the gum around it.