Dental Implants

Dental Implants as an Advantage Over a Bridge

Why is it that we are thrilled to lose our teeth as children, but that thrill turns to angst when we lose teeth as adults?

Children, of course, eagerly watch for that new tooth to grow in and replace the old one. Adults are not so fortunate. Perhaps you have lost a tooth recently due to an accident or periodontal disease or you’ve been dealing with that gap in your smile since you ran into that car with your bicycle as a kid (both you and your mother cried over the fact that it wasn’t a baby tooth). Maybe you’ve considered a bridge to replace that missing tooth. A dental implant is likely an even better option.

It's just a gap. Why bother fixing it?

Your teeth work together to help you chew, speak and smile. When you lack teeth, it's sometimes not as easy to do these things. In fact if you lose a tooth and do not replace it you are more likely to lose one of the adjacent teeth than if you do replace it. Our section on tooth replacement options goes into this in much greater detail. In short, losing one tooth and not replacing it can start a whole cascade of tooth loss in your mouth.

As well as improving your appearance, replacing one or two missing teeth could substantially improve your overall oral health. Problems caused by a single missing tooth might include:

  • Growing misalignment through the drift of remaining teeth
  • Improper bite causing problems with chewing and jaw alignment
  • Bone and tissue loss at the site of the missing tooth
  • Infection of the gums or jaw bone if the tooth has been broken and not entirely removed
  • The desire to cover your mouth or avoid smiling to hide your misaligned and unsightly teeth
  • Speech impediments as the tongue uses the teeth when speaking to form words clearly
  • Teeth adjacent to a missing tooth are more likely to be lost if the missing tooth is not replaced

Dental implants have multiple advantages over a bridge.

Traditionally, a single missing tooth would be replaced with a bridge. In some cases, a permanent bridge is glued to the adjacent teeth while others can be removed for cleaning. In many cases, the teeth on either side of the missing tooth are affected by bridge placement. Glue to secure the bridge may have adverse affects on the health of the remaining teeth, causing actual damage to the enamel where the glue is adhered. As well, in some cases the remaining healthy teeth have to be cut down or otherwise altered in order to affix the bridge. Sometimes the healthy teeth end up needing root canal treatment from the trauma of being ground down.

Dental Implant to replace Missing Teeth and may last longer than standard dental bridge. See Periodontist in Long Island NY

Dental implants are an improved technique for replacing missing teeth. In the case of a single missing tooth, or even multiple teeth, the implant can be inserted with no adverse effect to surrounding teeth. Once completed, the implant looks and feels like your natural tooth. You care for the implant in the same way you care for your regular teeth.

As an added bonus, implants generally last a lifetime while a typical bridge is expected to last only 7-10 years. Even when more than one tooth is missing, dental implants are a safe and better alternative to dental bridges.

Do dental implants require surgery? How long is the procedure?

A single tooth implant is done using "Novocain" for anesthetic and can generally be done in a regular appointment. The procedure to place a single implant takes only about 10-15 minutes. Sometimes, using computer guided technology, implants can be placed without ever opening the gums and with no stitches. The implant will be completed in two steps. After the first step, implantation of the titanium implant (the new root structure for your prosthetic tooth) the bone is given about 8 weeks to heal and grow around the implant. The second step involves making the prosthetic crown. The complete process usually takes about 10 weeks, from start to finish.

Okay, now let's talk about cost.

Dental implants are about 20% more expensive than bridges initially. When you consider that a bridge will have to be replaced, that cost difference is quickly diminished. Health insurance plans vary widely, but most will cover at least a portion of the cost of dental implants. Dr. Scharf will work with you to secure maximum benefits from your insurance company. As well we offer interest free financing and long term payment plans. Many people are surprised to learn that they can have dental implants for a monthly payment of less money than they spend each month on cable television and their cell phone bill every month.

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