Dental Implants Explained : The Pros vs Cons

Dental implants are a shining example of the amazing progression made in the dental industry in recent years, and have made it possible for millions of people worldwide to build a smile that they love. Many people have heard of dental implants in passing, but might not be informed on exactly what they are. Continue reading for more information on dental implants and a thorough comparison of the pros and cons.

What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is a titanium device that is placed directly into the bone in order to replace a missing tooth in the mouth. The titanium device is selected by the dentist or oral surgeon to fit perfectly inside the patient’s bone to most closely mimic the structure of a natural tooth.

Placing the implant into the bone provides a close imitation of the way a natural tooth sits in the bone, which helps prevent the degeneration of bone. Once a tooth is removed from the mouth, the bone that once surrounded the tooth begins to recede, and when allowed to progress, the bone loss has the potential to cause the looseness or eventual loss of other teeth in their entirety. It is for this reason that it is important to preserve bone structure, and dental implants provide the perfect solution.

How Are Dental Implants Placed?

The procedure behind placing dental implants may seem a bit intimidating and complicated at first, but with the treatment and guidance of a skilled dental professional, the process of getting a dental implant can be simple and relatively painless.

Before beginning treatment, a 3D bone scan will be conducted in order to determine if the patient has enough bone structure to hold a dental implant. If the dentist is confident in the bone’s ability to support the placement of an implant, the patient will be scheduled to return for the placement procedure.

The dentist makes a small incision in the gums and places the implant in the bone. Dental implants are screw-like devices with ridges that ensure a sturdy placement that will not budge. A healing cap is placed over the top of the implant, and after a brief healing period, the patient will return to have a crown placed over the implant. The crown is designed to perfectly mimic a natural tooth, and once the crown is placed, the tooth that has been restored using implant technology is virtually impossible to recognize with the naked eye.

Pros vs Cons

Implants are an excellent treatment option for those who are candidates, but like with most treatment options, there are pros and cons to consider when contemplating having implants placed in the mouth. Below is a detailed recollection of some of those pros and cons to help you decide if having an implant placed is right for you.

 

Pros

  • Prevents bone loss
  • Mimics natural tooth
  • Can last a lifetime if properly placed and cared for
  • No damage or work needed to be done to adjacent teeth
  • Fills missing space in mouth

Cons

  • Requires drilling into the bone
  • Invasive placement surgery
  • Can be costly if not covered by insurance
  • Extensive healing period

Going forward with the information you learned here, you will be able to better understand dental implants. If you have a space in your mouth that you wish to fill or a broken tooth that you wish to correct, speak to our in-house dentists and oral surgery experts to determine if dental implants are a good treatment option for you. At New Hyde Park Dental, Dr. Gregory Bangiyev and Dr. Artur Bababekov  will ensure that you are as informed on the subject as possible, and will help design a treatment plan that works best just for you.

What Are Modern Crowns And Bridges?

In the modern dental industry, there are countless ways to ensure that your smile looks and feels as natural as possible. Two common methods of restoring damaged or decayed teeth are crowns and bridges. Many people are familiar with the terms crown and bridge, but most do not know exactly what the treatment entails, or what they can expect. Continue reading for more information on crowns and bridges.

What Are Modern Crowns?

Crowns are essentially “caps” that are fabricated to fit perfectly over a tooth in order to protect it from developing further decay. Crowns can be fabricated from a number of different materials, but most modern crowns are made of a mixture of porcelain and some sort of metal to ensure its durability and strength. The traditional silver or gold teeth that most people negatively associate with crowns are still an option, but for the most part are very much a thing of the past; modern crowns are expertly crafted to not only match the color, but the shape and size of your natural teeth, as well. To the naked eye, modern crowns are virtually impossible to spot.

When the decay in a tooth has reached a certain point, the dentist will no longer recommend a simple filling to salvage the tooth. Instead, the dentist will recommend that a large filling, known clinically as a “buildup”, be placed inside the tooth. The tooth will then be shaved down on all sides about a millimeter or two. Shaving the tooth down is done in order to make the natural tooth structure smaller, so that a crown can be placed directly over top.

The process of fabricating and cementing a crown is usually done within two appointments. During the first appointment, the dentist will place the buildup inside the tooth and shave the tooth down. A precise impression will be taken of the prepared tooth, and in most cases, the impression will be sent out in the mail to a lab that will fabricate the crown. In some cases, some offices will have their own lab to fabricate crowns on the premises, and some offices may even have a dental 3D printer, which may grant the possibility of having the crown fabricated on the same day. If the crown is being mailed out for fabrication, a temporary crown will then be fabricated out of a resin material in order to complete the patient’s smile and fill the space in the meantime. In most cases, the permanent crown will return within two weeks. The patient returns to have the temporary crown removed, and the permanent crown cemented.

What Are Bridges?

A bridge is essentially just a three-or more- unit crown. In the case that there is a missing tooth in the mouth, patients have the option of filling that space with an artificial tooth that is suspended between two “anchor” teeth. Bridges are a cost-effective alternative to having an implant placed, but there is one drawback; in order to place a bridge, the two anchor teeth must be shaved down and prepared to have the bridge placed over top. The process of placing a bridge in the mouth is essentially the same as a crown preparation and placement. In most cases, the two anchor teeth on either side of the prosthetic tooth are completely healthy, and the placement of the bridge places these two teeth in danger should the bridge fail. It is for this reason that dentists always suggest having a single implant placed, with bridges as an alternative treatment option.

Going forward with the information you learned here, you will be able to better understand your treatment options. Discuss your options with either Dr. Gregory Bangiyev or Dr. Artur Bababekov to determine if a modern crown or bridge would be right for you!

Page Reader Press Enter to Read Page Content Out LoudPress Enter to Pause or Restart Reading Page Content Out LoudPress Enter to Stop Reading Page Content Out LoudScreen Reader Support