Dental Implants — Westhampton, NY

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

Before we begin any treatment, but especially before dental implant placement, we schedule a meeting solely to evaluate your smile, discuss the procedure, and answer any questions you may have. If dental implants are right for you, we’ll begin by putting together an extremely precise treatment plan. To do this, Dr. Parli uses a tool called a CBCT scanner, which creates a 3D X-ray image of the teeth, jaw, and surrounding structures, giving him much more information than your typical X-ray. This helps him completely tailor the procedure to a patient’s unique dental anatomy. During this consultation, we can also give you a more accurate idea of what you can expect in terms of the timeline and the cost for your specific case.

Dental Implant Surgery

Placing dental implants requires a minor surgical procedure, and most dental practices will refer their patients to an outside specialist to complete it. However, we’re able to save our patients from the hassle of running between different offices by providing everything they need right here at Beach Dental. Our own Dr. Jason Parli has undergone advanced training and has years of experience which enable him to perform the placement procedure in-house, helping patients rebuild their smile in the same convenient location from beginning to end. Plus, with the help of our advanced dental technology, Dr. Parli can select the optimal location for your implant(s), translating to better quality, longer-lasting tooth replacements.

When you have decided that you want to proceed with implants, we’ll schedule the placement surgery. This may sound intimidating, but the procedure is actually quite simple for our highly trained and experienced team. First, we will administer a local anesthetic so that you’re completely comfortable and numb. We’ll then make a small incision in the gum tissue to insert a small titanium post beneath the surface and into the jawbone. After closing the site, we’re finished! 

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement

Although the implant site on the gums should heal within a few days after placement, “recovering” fully from the procedure requires more time. The implant stimulates new bone growth, which surrounds the implant just like with natural tooth roots and keeps it in place. This process, called osseointegration, takes anywhere between three and six months to complete, but once the implant is firmly embedded in the bone, we can then insert the abutment, or connector piece between the post and the restoration.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations

Once the abutment has been placed, we’ll create your custom restoration. Whether just a single crown or a full denture, your restoration will look and feel just like natural teeth, not just because it will be artfully crafted out of porcelain and other durable materials, but also because it will be anchored to the jawbone. As a result, you’ll be able to enjoy the foods you love again with a strong bite that lasts for years to come.

Day-to-Day Benefits

Until a person lives without a full set of strong teeth, they can take many simple things for granted. However, with dental implants, every little detail is addressed and practically returned to the way it was before tooth loss. For instance, instead of feeling self-conscious about your prosthetic teeth slipping while you speak or eat, you can easily and comfortably resume normal function with dental implants because they look and feel natural. Also, unlike dentures, which come with unique care instructions and have to be specially cleaned and soaked every night, dental implants require the same convenient maintenance as real teeth.

Health Benefits

In multiple ways, dental implants can improve your health. In terms of oral health, dental implants do not negatively impact the surrounding teeth like a bridge does. Implants also stimulate the jawbone, causing it to continue producing new growth and fighting deterioration that naturally occurs after tooth loss. While traditional dentures and bridges do nothing to stop this process, implants counteract it.

With strong teeth to bite and chew, you can more easily have fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and other nutritious foods that you may not have the biting force to eat with dentures. As a result, you can have a more balanced diet and perhaps even a longer life expectancy. In addition, the boost of confidence in your smile can do wonders for your mental health!

Long-Term Benefits

Did you know that normal dental bridges have to be replaced every 7 to 10 years? Dentures require even more frequent adjustments and replacement. Dental implants, on the other hand, can last for decades with careful maintenance.

When you look at the cost of these prosthetic teeth, implants may seem like the most expensive choice, but when you take future replacements into account, the grand total for dentures and bridges can surpass that of dental implants. In other words, in addition to having all the other benefits for significantly more time, you might save money with dental implants in the long run.

Missing 1 Tooth

Traditionally, when replacing a single tooth, the surrounding teeth would need to be filed down in order to hold a bridge, but with an implant, we don’t have to sacrifice any healthy dental structure. Instead, a porcelain crown supported by an implant root can be seamlessly placed between two teeth.

Missing Multiple Teeth

Instead of replacing each missing tooth individually, just two implant roots can be used to support a bridge that holds up to 4 consecutive teeth. Compared to a regular bridge, implant bridges look more natural and have a more secure hold.

Missing All Teeth

If you’re tired of dealing with multiple missing teeth or an uncomfortable denture that constantly moves, implants can help you, too. A custom-made prosthetic can be attached directly to your jawbone using just 4-6 implant roots, giving you unmatched stability that a traditional removable denture simply can’t replicate.

Learn More About Implant Dentures

Factors That Influence the Cost of Dental Implants

The overall cost of dental implant treatment depends on many things, such as the following:

• The need, if any, for preparatory procedures (e.g., bone graft, periodontal therapy).
• Number of dental implants.
• Location of the implant(s) in the arch.
• Type of dental prosthetic that will be attached to the implant(s).

Because each patient’s needs are unique, the exact treatment—and therefore the precise cost—will vary from one patient to the next. That’s why providing a general estimate before an evaluation is nearly impossible. At your consultation, we take all these factors into account and provide you with an accurate estimate for your specific case.

Are Dental Implants Worth the Investment?

Although traditional dentures and bridges cost less than dental implants in the beginning, they need to be replaced much more frequently. In fact, in addition to lasting only five to seven years, dentures require frequent dental visits for adjustments and realignments in between new ones. Bridges typically last about seven to ten years before needing replacement. In contrast, dental implants can last for more than 30 years and require minimal maintenance. Including all these subsequent maintenance and replacement fees can push the total cost for bridges or dentures above what you would pay for dental implants, making them the smarter financial choice in the long run.

In addition, dental implants provide benefits that other replacement options simply can’t, including a stronger bite, more freedom to enjoy the foods you love, more youthful aesthetics, and better preservation of your remaining teeth. Dental implants help you have a higher quality of life with your tooth replacements, giving you more confidence in your smile.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

In general, dental insurance coverage does not apply to dental implants; however, if you require preliminary procedures, such as periodontal therapy, this work can be partially covered by insurance. Our team can evaluate your specific plan and help you understand and maximize your benefits.

To learn how much your dental implant treatment would cost, simply contact our office in Westhampton to schedule a consultation.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

Although dental implants aren’t vulnerable to tooth decay, you still need to brush and floss them just as you would natural teeth. Daily oral hygiene prevents plaque buildup, which causes gum infections and other complications. Basically, you need to brush for two minutes twice every day; plus, you need to floss your teeth at least once per day. By keeping your implants clean, you make it more difficult for harmful bacteria to take over your smile.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Believe it or not, what you eat has a major impact on the success of your implants. Foods high in sugar and carbohydrates encourage bacterial growth in the mouth, increasing your risk of oral infections. On the other hand, many fruits and vegetables, which are high in essential nutrients and water content, help to keep your mouth clean and strong. Choosing healthy foods can facilitate your hygiene efforts and give your body the ability to better fight off infections.

Break Bad Habits

Everyone has at least one or two bad habits, but if you’re not careful, they could interfere with your implants’ success. If you smoke, bite your nails, chew ice or pencils, or tend to use your teeth to open packaging, do your best to quit these habits as soon as possible. Not only can you stop your implant restorations from chipping or wearing down as quickly, but you can also help the jawbone hold onto your implants as it’s designed to do.

Protect Your Dental Implants

What if you have some habits you can’t necessarily control? Grinding or clenching your teeth while you sleep can put immense stress on your implants and jawbone, potentially shortening the lifespan of your updated smile. We can provide a special mouthguard designed to keep your upper and lower teeth apart. Wearing it at night can prevent damage and protect your investment in the long term.

Or, if you participate in sports, we can fabricate a custom mouthguard to absorb any hits to the face. That way, you can play without having to worry about your implants getting disturbed.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

Perhaps most importantly, you need to come to our Westhampton office for checkups on a regular basis. We take the opportunity to closely examine the condition of your implants. If we find anything amiss or signs of possible infection, we can address it right away, early on, so that your implants and mouth stay in excellent condition. Plus, we can professionally clean your implants, thereby preventing complications in the future.

Are Dental Implants Removable?

No, after an implant has fused with the jawbone, it cannot be easily removed. However, if the restoration on top has suffered damage, we can safely replace it for you. Another scenario in which your implant restoration may be removeable is if you have implant dentures and would like the convenience of being able to clean them outside your mouth. We can design your implant dentures to “snap” in and out of place, allowing you to remove them when you’d like while still giving you the stability, strength, and appearance of dental implants.

Will Others Be Able to Tell I Have Dental Implants?

Because the implants act like natural tooth roots, they look much more realistic than traditional dentures or bridges. Before we create your restorations, we’ll take impressions and measurements of your mouth so that your restoration can be customized to fit you perfectly. As a result, you can expect your restorations to look and feel just like real teeth. Anyone meeting you after implants shouldn’t be able to tell that your replacement teeth are fake.

Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

At Beach Dental, we make sure that you’re comfortable throughout the entire process. During the implant placement procedure, you’ll be numb with a local anesthetic and won’t feel anything. Afterward, when the anesthetic has worn off, you may feel some soreness at the placement site; however, this discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. As the site heals, you’ll need to get plenty of rest, eat soft foods, and avoid using a straw or sucking motion. Within several days, you should be able to return to normal activities

What Can Cause Dental Implants to Fail?

Overall, dental implants are overwhelmingly successful. In fact, even 10 years after the placement procedure, about 95 to 98 percent of implants are still functioning and looking well. However, rare cases of failure do happen. If failure occurs soon after placement, it is likely the result of an untreated infection like gum disease or of not having enough bone density to support an implant. Once implants have become integrated with the bone, they can fail if you don’t properly maintain them. To avoid both short-term and long-term failure with your implants, you can trust our team to thoroughly evaluate your oral health and help you keep your restored smile healthy and strong year after year.

How Long Is the Dental Implant Process?

Treatment timelines will vary from case to case, so it’s impossible to estimate how long it will take to get your restored smile in general. While some patients are ready to start immediately, others need to undergo preliminary procedures, such as tooth extraction or bone graft, extending the total treatment time. During your consultation, after we get an idea of your unique situation, we can give you a clearer idea of what to expect moving forward.

Can I Get Dental Implants If I Have Diabetes?

Having diabetes doesn’t automatically disqualify you from getting dental implants. However, if you do not manage your condition well, you are at a higher risk of implant failure. Those who have uncontrolled diabetes are more likely to develop periodontal disease, which degrades jawbone tissue, weakening the bond that holds implants in place. As a result, before we attempt dental implants with a patient with diabetes, we will make sure they know how to care for their overall wellness as well as their oral health to ensure success.

What Technology Do You Use to Improve Implant Results?

At Beach Dental, we take advantage of the industry’s cutting-edge technology so that our patients can have greater confidence in their treatment. For implants, we use a device called a cone beam CT scanner, which takes hundreds of X-ray images completely around the patient’s oral cavity, capturing teeth, jawbone tissue, blood vessels, and other oral structures. Put together, these images create a 3D map, from which we can plan the procedure. As a result, when we place the implant post, we can avoid unnecessary complications.

Am I the “Right Age” for Dental Implants?

The only age requirement for dental implants is that you must be at least 18. Usually by that age, people’s oral cavities are finished developing, making it safe to potentially place implants. Other than this minimum, there are no age restrictions on dental implants, meaning that you can consider these replacements regardless of how old or young you are. As long as you are healthy overall and have enough jawbone to support implants, you could be a good candidate.

What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery

As with many other surgeries, your body needs time to recover after implant placement. We recommend getting plenty of rest and taking at least the next 24 hours away from normal activities. You may even want to have someone you trust take care of you or supervise you for a while afterward to ensure your comfort and to check in on you as you heal. After this time period, you can go back to work and start to resume other usual activities.

Common Side-Effects

The placement procedure is minor surgery, so you may experience some soreness afterward. Fortunately, over-the-counter pain reliever should be enough to keep your discomfort under control. You can also put a cold compress on your face to help reduce the pain or any minor swelling you may have. If you have a fever over 100 degrees or have intense swelling or bleeding, let us know right away about your symptoms.

Diet

Obviously, you’ll need to eat after the implant placement procedure, but the site may still be tender. For the first 24 to 48 hours following implant placement, we recommend staying away from hard or crunchy foods and sticking to a soft food diet, such as mashed potatoes, yogurt, and eggs, to allow the site to heal. After that point, you can slowly reintroduce normal foods, but avoid chewing with that part of your mouth.

Health & Oral Hygiene

Moving forward, both after the placement procedure and after receiving your restorations, keeping your mouth clean and healthy is essential. You need to dedicate time every day to brushing and flossing for basic maintenance and come to your hygiene appointments every three months so that your implants have the best chances of success.

What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached

When your prosthetic teeth have been placed over your implants, you are then able to treat them as you should normal teeth. This means you are free to eat basically anything you choose, but this also means that you must care for them. Your new replacement teeth may not last nearly as long as they could if you consume too much sugary foods or drinks or neglect your oral hygiene. Continue to implement healthy practices in your lifestyle to keep your implants strong for many years to come.