Smithtown Dentist
Dentist in Smithtown
Smithtown Dentist
When a tooth is lost it can have a profound affect on a person’s smile, ability to eat, their speech and even change their facial structure over time. Replacing missing teeth is the best way to prevent these effects from happening. Our Smithtown dentist can replace missing teeth using dental implants. Dental implantation is a tooth replacement technique that has revolutionized the way in which dentists treat missing teeth. The word “revolutionary” is used far too often to describe new technologies and procedures but dental implants have really revolutionized the practice of giving patients new teeth. Instead of simply placing a replacement tooth on top of the gums as is the case with traditional dentures or supported by adjacent teeth as is done with some bridges implants become a part of the jaw giving them the most solid foundation possible.
Replacing missing teeth at our Smithtown dentist practice begins with a comprehensive dental examination and radiograph images to see if an implant is a good option for the patient, exactly where to place the implant and if there is sufficient bone material available at the site to support the implant. If there isn’t enough bone available at the site our doctor can use a bone graft to stimulate new bone growth. Our doctor starts the procedure by opening the gum and surgically implanting a titanium anchor directly into the jawbone and then closing the gum over it. Over time the anchor will bond with the bone and become part of it creating a very strong and stable root for the new tooth. Once the area has healed sufficiently the anchor will be topped by a porcelain crown, which forms the new tooth’s biting and chewing surface. The new tooth will look; feel and function just like the missing one it replaces.
While revolutionary in their approach dental implants have been around for quite a while. Recently our Smithtown dentist has been able to offer some patients smaller mini implants that cut down on the amount of surgery needed to place them and as a result heal faster. Same day teeth are another recent innovation where patients can get their teeth on the same day that the implant surgery is done using crowns that are fabricated in advance based on measurements and impressions taken well before the surgery. Our practice is even using implants to anchor bridges and dentures more securely than the traditional methods. Give our office a call for a consultation and walk out with a full mouth of teeth again.