Dental Implants in New York, NY

About Dental Implants at Rock Dental

When you have missing teeth, an alternative solution to dentures is dental implants. While dentures are removable, dental implants provide permanent new teeth to restore your mouth’s function and appearance. Dental implants tend to offer a successful and lasting solution to the loss of some or all of your teeth.

Why Replacing a Missing Tooth Matters

A gap does more than change how your smile looks. When a tooth is lost, the bone that used to support it no longer gets stimulation from chewing and tends to shrink over time. The teeth on either side can drift or tilt into the space, and the tooth above or below it may shift too. That can change your bite, make cleaning harder, and put extra load on the teeth you still have.

An implant is designed to stand in for the root as well as the visible tooth. Because the post sits in the jawbone, it gives the replacement tooth a stable base and helps keep bone in that area in use. It also stands on its own, so the healthy teeth beside it do not need to be reshaped the way they would for a traditional bridge. Not everyone is a candidate, and your dentist will advise on what suits your mouth and health.

What to Expect From the Implant Process

Implant treatment happens in stages. It typically begins with a consultation, an exam and digital X-rays to look at your gums and the amount of bone available. If the site needs preparation, such as treating gum disease or building up bone, that comes first. The implant post is then placed in the jaw under local anesthetic. Over the following months, usually somewhere between three and six depending on the patient, the bone bonds to the post.

Once healing is confirmed, a connector piece and a custom crown, bridge or denture are attached. After placement, some swelling and tenderness for a few days is common, and you will typically be asked to eat soft foods and keep the area clean as directed. Long term, implants need the same attention as natural teeth. That means brushing twice a day, cleaning between teeth, and regular checkups so the gums and bone around them can be monitored.