Dental Implants Tuckahoe, NY

If you have missing teeth, it is imperative to find a replacement option. Otherwise, you can develop significant dental issues, such as further tooth loss or bone deterioration. At Crestwood Dental, Dr. Gorsky can work with you to replace your missing teeth using dental implants. Dental implants are considered the “gold standard” of tooth replacement and offer several key benefits for restoring both oral health and lifestyle. 

Dental Implants in Tuckahoe, NY

What is a Dental Implant?

Dental implants are small anchors made of a biocompatible metal called titanium that are placed in the jawbone. Dental implants are the replacement of tooth roots in the mouth, a significant difference when compared to traditional removable tooth replacement options. Replacing the lost tooth root will support stable bone tissue around the lost tooth or teeth, helping to maintain the natural structure of your jaw and bite. 

Once placed, the anchors begin to fuse with the bone over the course of a few months. After the fusing process, known as osseointegration, abutment posts are inserted into the anchors to allow for the permanent attachment of the replacement teeth. A final restoration is placed onto the abutment, giving you back a new tooth that can function like a natural tooth and allow you to eat and speak with confidence once again. 

Implant-Supported Bridges

An implant-supported bridge is a restorative solution for spaces where three or more adjacent teeth are missing. This restoration typically requires two implants to support the porcelain bridge. The bridge provides a functional and aesthetic replacement for a patient’s natural teeth.

What are the Advantages of Implant-Supported Bridges?

Because of the natural look and feel of the porcelain and the functional stability provided by the implants, implant-supported bridges are an effective solution to replace multiple missing teeth.

A traditional bridge uses teeth on either side of the gap where teeth are missing for support. An implant-supported bridge uses two or more dental implants than the adjacent teeth. When a bridge uses natural teeth for attachment, the natural teeth must be prepped for crowns and are then subject to increased stress, which may be damaging – particularly if the existing tooth, roots, or surrounding bone structure are already compromised. A dental implant supported bridge replaced your missing teeth and avoids putting any additional stress on your natural teeth.

Implant-Supported Dentures

For patients who are missing many or all of their teeth, implant-supported dentures may be an alternative to traditional dentures. This solution requires the placement of two or more implants. In order to replace a full arch denture, a minimum of four implants is generally recommended. Eligibility for this solution is dependent upon a number of factors, with jaw bone density being one of the most significant determining factors.

Traditional dentures rely on an acrylic base that sits directly on the gums, held in place by a paste or adhesive. Using implants as supports for dentures allows for a smaller and more comfortable base and less shifting of the prosthesis during use.

Implants can support both full and partial dentures as well as both fixed and removable dentures.  If a removable denture is selected, the denture will “snap” onto the implant rather than require the use of denture paste or adhesives. Removable dentures can be taken out for cleaning at night.

Why Should I Consider Implant-Supported Dentures Over Traditional Dentures? 

This technique offers many advantages over traditional dentures.

Easy to care for, this solution can simulate the look and feel of natural teeth and stay fixed in place with the implants acting as anchors. Patients will not experience the typical rocking and movement or gum irritation associated with dentures.

Dental implant placement can also help alleviate the sunken look that can occur with bone loss in the jaw by stimulating bone growth in the area around the implant. This process can also help prevent future bone loss.

Full Arch with Only Four Implants

This procedure is a unique implant solution that allows patients with a completely edentulous (toothless) upper or lower arch to replace all of the teeth in that arch using only four implants as anchors.

Recovery Tips Following Implant Surgery

After your surgery, you will need to recover during each stage. Your recovery time may be a few weeks to a few months. It depends on your body and your oral health. There are some ways that you can aid your own recovery process:

  • Some pain, bleeding, swelling, and seeping are normal following oral surgery. Please do not try to view the site by pulling on your lip and do not probe the area with your tongue or fingers. If you experience excessive bleeding or discomfort after 48-72 hours, please call our office immediately.
  • You can take ibuprofen or acetaminophen according to the instructions on the label or those provided by our office as needed.
  • Swelling around the face, eyes, and surgical site is not uncommon and may become more noticeable two to three days following surgery. Applying a cold compress to the face near the implant site will help minimize swelling. If using an ice pack, please do not apply ice directly to your skin but place a cloth between the ice and your skin at all times.  You may apply the cold compress for up to 20 minutes on and at least 20 minutes off as needed. After 36 hours, the cold compress will have no further impact on swelling. After this period, the application of moist heat to the sides of the face can help reduce swelling.
  • A warm salt water rinse, approximately ½ teaspoon in an eight-ounce glass of water, three times a day can be helpful.
  • Avoid brushing your teeth near the surgery site, but brush and floss the rest of your mouth as instructed by our office.
  • For 24 hours following your surgery, do not suck on a straw, brush, rinse, spit, or smoke.
  • For the first 24 hours you may experience some cold and heat sensitivity. Avoid hot and spicy foods as well as carbonated and alcoholic beverages.
  • Restrict your activities on the day of your surgery. Avoid excessive work or play, and resume normal activity the following day as tolerated.
  • After the first day, gently rinse with a warm salt water rinse, approximately one-half teaspoon of salt in an eight-ounce glass of water, three times a day.
  • During the first few days after oral surgery, restrict your diet to liquids and soft foods such as soups, yogurt, juice, and smoothies.
  • Follow any other instructions provided by the office on your visit. Please take all medications as prescribed, including your prescribed antibiotics, to help prevent infection.
  • If you have a denture that overlaps the implant site, please minimize the use of the denture following surgery to allow the site to heal. After the first week, you should be able to gradually increase the amount of time you can wear your denture.
  • It is extremely important to keep your follow-up appointment(s) so that we can monitor the healing process.
  • If pain and swelling are increasing after a few days, please call our office right away.