Long Island Dental Implants Providers – Advanced Periodontics & Implant Dentistry Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental Implants vs. General Dentistry
As some of the most accomplished New York dental implants providers, we have helped numerous patients achieve beautiful, healthy smiles. We are especially proud to have helped hundreds of patients who had been told by their dentists that they were not dental implant candidates due to excessive bone loss. Cutting-edge technologies in implant dentistry such as 3D imaging of your jaw, computer guided implant placement and graftless implant surgery can make implants possible for replacing a single tooth, replacing several teeth, and complete tooth loss (for denture replacement or to avoid ever wearing a denture!)
Dental implants allow for the replacement of missing teeth without grinding on good teeth to make bridges. Many conventional dental procedures are still indicated today. However, with the advent of dental implants, many of those procedures are becoming outdated or contraindicated. For decades, the dental profession has advocated the preservation of natural teeth and natural tooth structure. This concept is certainly upheld when using dental implants for tooth replacement. The need for removal of healthy tooth structure (enamel) has been eliminated by dental implant treatment.
Dentists agree that a tooth often begins a downward spiral after being touched by a dental drill for the first time. Patients and practitioners alike have agonized over the decision to grind on healthy teeth. We, as practitioners, see conventional crown and bridgework fail prematurely. Several studies on crowns and bridges found an average 9-10 year life expectancy in the United States. Until about 1985 our choices for tooth replacement were poor, at best. Since implants have become the “standard of care” for tooth replacement our choices have improved dramatically.
The use of dental implants gives three more benefits rarely discussed:
- Dental implants strengthen the dentition (entire set of teeth). By adding a dental implant where a tooth is missing, we are replacing the root and the crown (top) which is missing, thereby potentially increasing the life expectancy of surrounding teeth. In some ways the implant is more solid than the tooth it is replacing. Bridges and partials weaken the dentition by forcing other teeth to carry the burden of the missing ones.
- Dental implants preserve the bone levels that are present when a tooth is lost. Without the implant the bone will slowly resorb (melt away) because there is no stimulus to keep it in place.
- Dental implants do not decay. By far, the most common reason for a crown or a bridge to fail is because decay starts at the margin where the crown meets the natural tooth. Titanium implants cannot decay.
Below we contrast implant dentistry with more traditional forms of dentistry:
One Missing Tooth
When a person is missing one tooth there are two options for replacement, a single tooth dental implant or a three-unit bridge.
| Implant | Bridge | |
| Cost | Same as bridge | Same as implant |
| Treatment time | 3-9 months | 2-5 weeks |
| Drill on other teeth | No | Yes |
| Life expectancy | 10-30 years | 5-15 years |
| Effect on dentition | Strengthens | Weakens |
| Chance for future decay | No | Yes |
Several missing teeth
Removable partial dentures (RPD) have been used by dental patients to replace missing teeth for over a century. Simply by considering the phrase one can understand why they are really outdated treatment options; removable, by the patient several times per day. Partial denture indicates it is a denture on a smaller scale. Most people would choose to have “fixed” (cemented or screw retained) teeth if given the option. Fixed teeth on dental implants look, feel and function like natural teeth.
| Implant Bridge | RPD | |
| Cost | More than RPD | Less than Implant Bridge |
| Treatment time | 3-9 months | 4-12 weeks |
| Drill on other teeth | No | Yes |
| Life expectancy | 10-30 years | 5-15 years |
| Effect on dentition | Strengthens | Weakens |
| Chance for future decay | No | Yes |
| Prosthesis stability | Like Natural Teeth | Moderate |
| Ease of Cleaning | Moderate | Simple (outside mouth) |
| Comfort | Like Natural Teeth | Poor |
| Speech Change | None | Improves with time |
| Palate Covered | No | Yes |
| Preserves Bone | Yes | No |
Missing All Teeth
Complete dentures have been a nemesis of mankind since they were invented. Though they do replace missing teeth and can be esthetically pleasing, there are few other accolades about dentures. Most dentures wearers admit that they would “do anything” to save their teeth if given the opportunity. Dentures are difficult to adapt to, uncomfortable to wear, painful to chew with and can cause public humiliation. Most denture wearers claim that dentures alter their lifestyle significantly.
| Dental Implants | Dentures | |
| Cost | Much More than Dentures | Much Less than Dental Implants |
| Appearance | Good | Good |
| Treatment Time | 3-18 months | 2-6 weeks |
| Life expectancy | 10-30 years | 3-10 years |
| Effect on Chewing | Like Healthy, Natural Teeth | Poor |
| Prosthesis stability | Like Natural Teeth | Very Poor |
| Ease of Cleaning | Moderate | Simple (outside mouth) |
| Comfort | Like Natural Teeth | Very Poor |
| Speech Change | Minimal | Improves with time |
| Palate Covered | No | Yes |
| Preserves Bone | Yes | No – Accelerates Bone Loss |
Schedule Your Consultation Today
We will be happy to further discuss the benefits of dental implants during your personal appointment. In addition, they can explain various gum procedures that can further improve the function and appearance of your mouth. To schedule an appointment with one of our talented NY / NJ periodontists, please call us today or click here to schedule your free consultation.