Our Services / Dental Implants

Why replace missing teeth?

Most people only think about the aesthetic ramifications of missing teeth, but there are also serious dental health issues to consider. One or more missing teeth can cause your entire smile to shift. 

Each of your natural teeth is anchored directly into your jaw bone. When you chew or bite down, you stimulate that bone tissue, keeping it healthy and strong. 

Losing a tooth means you also lose that stimulation. Over time, the bone beneath the lost tooth can begin to wear away through a process called resorption. 

This weakens the bone/tooth connection between adjacent teeth and can begin a cascade of additional tooth loss. 

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are a permanent option for replacing one or more missing teeth. Implants consist of a metal post that is surgically implanted into your jaw bone to replace the missing tooth root. A crown attaches to the post and replaces the visible portion of the missing tooth. Once in place, dental implants look and function just like your natural teeth, keeping your bone tissue healthy and strong. 

You can get a single implant to replace an individual tooth or several to replace missing teeth in various areas of your mouth. There’s even an option that uses four upper or four lower dental implants to replace an entire span of missing teeth. 

What is the process for getting dental implants?

Perhaps the most important part of the process is the planning stage. Your dentist uses advanced software and imaging to determine the precise angle of entry for the implant post. 

This is also the stage at which your dental team determines if you have sufficient bone tissue to anchor the implant. If not, you might need to go through the bone grafting process prior to having an implant installed. 

Dental implants require a surgical procedure to secure the post. You’ll receive medication to help you rest comfortably throughout the procedure. 

Once you’re numb, the dentist makes an incision in your gums to gain access to the underlying bone. A small pilot hole is drilled to guide the post placement, then the post is placed within the prepared bone tissue. 

A period of healing follows, allowing your bone to fully fuse with the implanted post. You’ll receive a temporary crown to wear until it’s time for the permanent crown installation. 

Once healing is complete, you’ll come back in to have the crown portion attached to the implanted post, which completes the restoration.

Learn more about dental implants during a one-on-one consultation. Booking is as simple as a phone call to Time Square Dental Group or a visit to the online scheduling page, so don’t delay.