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We often take for granted the ability to eat all the foods we love. But after suffering a tooth loss, being able to enjoy a thick juicy steak, munching on crunchy vegetables, or enjoying our favorite chewy foods becomes a challenge. A discussion on dental implants will reveal that tooth loss does not mean you have to give up your favorite foods.

Sacrificing a tooth to decay, disease or trauma is not something to ignore. There are many reasons to research the various options to replace missing teeth:

• Aesthetics – A toothless smile may be cute on a small child, but an adult may suffer from self- esteem issues that can impact social life, professional position, or public perception in general.
• Dental health – With tooth loss, bone atrophy will follow. The bone located in gum tissue will begin to shrink when the root of the tooth is gone. Filling a gap where one or more teeth were lost can halt this process.
• Speaking – We rely on the tongue and teeth to formulate sounds. With tooth loss, forming certain sounds may be difficult.

There are several options to supplant tooth loss, but for patients seeking to restore the most natural functionality and appearance, dental implants is the optimum treatment.

A dental implant is imbedded in the gum where tooth loss has occurred. This small piece of titanium will integrate with existing bone tissue and become the basis of support for the final restoration, much like the root of a natural tooth.

Once healed, the implant will be covered with a protective restoration that so closely matches the surrounding teeth, it will be indiscernible.

Your dentist has helped to restore your self-confidence, speaking ability, and overall dental health. But best of all, you can now enjoy the foods you love. With dental implants, there are no restrictions as your new tooth will function just like a biological tooth does.

Caring for a dental implant involves the same routine as with natural teeth. Flossing daily along with brushing after eating is the best regimen for excellent oral health. The implant is now a permanent part of your dental anatomy, so enjoy the foods you love while following the rules to protect it and your remaining natural teeth which should also include seeing the dentist for a thorough cleaning and exam twice per year.

Contact the office of Dr. Richard Sousa if dental implants can help you return to your normal life, including eating the foods you love. Call 516-484-6600 to schedule an appointment today.

Although the implant dentist may seem to be a specialist who has emerged rather recently, the groundwork for those handy devices was actually established thousands of years ago. Ancient societies like the Egyptians and the Mayans experimented with dental implants made of shells.

Modern technology has made vast improvements on those rudimentary dental implants, and today’s devices are remarkably reliable and durable for tooth replacement.

Dental implants are so sturdy because they are made of titanium, which fuses with the patient’s jawbone. A Swedish researcher named Per-Ingvar Branemark was the first to discover this property of titanium. Branemark inserted titanium chambers into rabbits’ ears and legs and found that over time, the chambers had integrated with the bone and could not be removed.

Although other scientists had attempted to use other materials, like silver and gold, for dental implants, titanium proved to be the only material that consistently fused with the bone. Branemark’s colleagues were initially skeptical, so he continued to fine-tune the devices and by the early 1980s, he had gathered enough evidence to present his work at a scientific conference. This peer-reviewed research helped to establish titanium dental implants as a legitimate intervention for tooth loss.

The United States Food and Drug Administration approved the treatment in 1982, further paving the way for its use in patients.

Another important step was to make the technology available commercially so that implant dentists and their patients could access it. Around the same time that Branemark’s research was accepted by his peers in research, a company named Nobelpharma was established for this purpose. That company is now known as Nobel Biocare, and is one of the major manufacturers of modern dental implants.

More recent developments in dental implants include improved surface technology that promotes faster osseointegration, different shapes for dental implants and enhanced scanning methods that give the implant dentist a more accurate depiction of patient’s bone structure. This imaging is particularly useful in planning the dental implant placement procedure.

Over the past half-century, dental implants have evolved to become a stable, predictable method for tooth replacement. Contact our skilled and dedicated team today to see if you will be able to take advantage of these advances to replicate your own missing tooth or teeth.

Dental implants have seen tremendous growth in recent years as a method of replacing lost teeth. For an implant dentist, one of the most common questions they face when it comes to dental implants concerns the rate of success of the treatment.

The treatment consists of an implant dentist placing a small, thin titanium support into the gap left behind by a missing tooth. The titanium bonds with the underlying jaw bone, offering strength and support to a dental crown that is placed over the support. The titanium support requires a good amount of quality bone tissue in order to successfully bond; where insufficient bone exists, a bone graft might be recommended before dental implant treatment can continue.

The rate of success of dental implants varies depending on the location of the implant, and also the quality and quantity of bone that will support the implant. On average, the success rate is around 90-95% percent – an impressive statistic, given the many hundreds-of-thousands of patients around the world who have undergone the treatment.

Natural bone gives the best chances of success of dental implants. Dental implants that are placed into bone that has been grafted prior to treatment may see a greater chance of failure of the treatment, but the likelihood of this happening is still relatively small, so those seeking dental implant treatment can continue in confidence, knowing that the chances of unsuccessful treatment are very unlikely.

Dental implants are less likely to fail where the recipient of the treatment maintains a good dental hygiene program, and avoids tobacco. Tobacco users are statistically more likely to experience dental implant failure than non-tobacco users, while maintaining good dental habits such as regular brushing and flossing, and visits to a dentist help prolong the health of the teeth and gums, and so aid in the chances of success of the implants.

If you are considering dental implants to replace one or more missing teeth, contact East Hills Dental Associates at 516-484-6600 and schedule your consultation today.

The relationship between your teeth and your jawbone is quite interesting. The teeth depend upon the jawbone for support. Without this strong foundation, the teeth could not be maintained. At the same time, the jaw bone depends upon the teeth for stimulation. Without this stimulation, the jawbone would atrophy, or dissolve.

When your natural teeth are missing, dental implants step in to preserve that delicate balance. Dental implants provide the stimulation that is essential in preventing the atrophy of your jawbone. Whereas other tooth replacements are designed to function above the gum line, only dental implants can extend down into the bone for a more complete result.

Dental bridges and dentures that anchor to your natural teeth for support are unable to stimulate the jaw. Instead, these restorations transfer your chewing forces to the neighboring teeth and gums, creating increasing stress and strain that can be damaging over time. Meanwhile, the bone structure begins the slow process of deterioration that can make future tooth replacement increasingly difficult.

In addition to the esthetic consequences, lost bone density makes it tough to stabilize a denture. Under these conditions, a denture is more prone to slip out of place or require the daily application of denture adhesive. Even the future placement of dental implants becomes more complicated due to the lost bone, since the future implant will need to be surrounded by healthy dense bone.

If you don’t have teeth, why do you need the bone? Your jawbone serves many important purposes in addition to supporting your teeth. The bone provides the valuable framework for your facial profile. The contours of your lips, cheeks, and face are defined by the integrity of the underlying bone. When this definition is lost or altered, the result is a lack of fullness and youthfulness.

Speak with Dr. Richard Sousa, your implant dentist serving Nassau County, to learn how dental implants can help prevent jawbone atrophy or stop the progression of future damage. Call 516-484-6600 to schedule your professional consultation today.

Thanks to modern technology and advanced dental materials, a missing natural tooth can be replaced under almost any conditions. Of course, in a perfect world, the best chances for implant success could be attained when your general health and your oral health are stable.

However, the circumstances surrounding your need for a replacement tooth are not always so ideal. You may have been affected by bone loss, gum recession, or uneven bite in addition to the loss of our natural teeth. In these instances, you may be relieved to know that dental implants could still be an option for you.

For stability and strength, dental implants must become firmly bonded with the underlying jaw bone and then covered and protected by the gum tissue.

Where there is gum recession, there is also a lack of bone support, regarding both natural teeth and implant posts. This loss of periodontal attachment is a sign of gum disease which can ultimately lead to tooth loss.

To reinforce your new dental implant, your dentist may suggest a procedure that is designed to augment or restore your natural tissues. Known as a gingival graft (to restore the gum tissue) or a bone graft (to build up the bone structure), an additional surgical procedure can significantly improve your long-term chances for a successful implant procedure.

Your gingival graft and/or bone graft may be performed in a separate procedure in preparation for your dental implants. According to the recommendation of your implant dentist, these procedures may also be performed at the time of the implant placement.

For a great majority of patients who have suffered from the loss of one or more natural teeth, dental implants are the most ideal permanent solution.

By carefully evaluating the health of the surrounding tissues, and recommending additional procedures when necessary, your implant dentist can produce results that are both secure and cosmetically pleasing.

For more information about receding gums and dental implants, contact Dr. Richard Sousa, serving Long Island and surrounding areas.  Call 516-484-6600 for an evaluation today.

If you think of your teeth as though they were a string of pearls, you could appreciate the tremendous impact of losing even a single pearl. Not only would the appearance of the entire strand be damaged, but the loss would have a domino effect on the remaining pearls. There would be sliding and shifting, and soon the necklace would begin to look prematurely old and worn out.

Such is the case when you lose even one of your natural teeth. The value of a single tooth increases tremendously when that tooth is missing. Of course, in a perfect world, you would choose to save all of your teeth and never break your strand of “pearls”. In reality, tooth loss happens every day. Were it not for revolutionary replacement teeth such as dental implants, we would be left to suffer some very unpleasant consequences.

It’s possible that the most immediate consequence of losing a single tooth is the damage to your self-confidence. If the missing tooth is visible when you speak or smile, your natural inclination may be to conceal your smile. It is common to experience feelings of insecurity or hopelessness regarding the situation, but your implant dentist can help.

Immediately after losing a tooth, you’ll be forced to alter your eating and chewing habits. If you tend to rely heavily on one side of the mouth for chewing, both the jaw joint and the overworked teeth will show rapid signs of deterioration. TMJ disorder, tooth sensitivity, and excessive wear patterns are the unfortunate results of one-sided chewing.

Without the regular stimulating relationship between the jaw bone and the tooth root, substantial bone loss will occur. Where a tooth is missing, this bone loss can advance to the point that it begins to affect the neighboring teeth as well as the shape of the lips, cheeks, and the face.

You may have heard stories of how the teeth have shifted and become crowded due to a missing tooth. It is true that the remaining teeth will tend to shift into the space left vacant by tooth loss. As the bite collapses, new issues such as tooth decay and gum disease will begin to arise.

To find out if dental implants are the best solution for your tooth loss, contact the office of Dr. Richard Sousa, serving Long Island and the surrounding areas, today to schedule a consultation.

In the life of a patient who is missing all of the upper or lower teeth, navigating through each day is a true challenge. Speaking, eating, and interacting with others is uncomfortable and embarrassing. Most patients facing this predicament desire the fastest, most cost effective solution available.

Your implant dentist understands the urgency of complete tooth replacement. With All-on-4 dental implants, it is possible to have high quality replacement teeth in a single day. A full upper or lower denture, with the help of at least four dental implants, can enhance your health and improve your self-confidence.

Research has proven that dental implants are an example of the absolute highest level of tooth restoration. They are permanently anchored into the jaw bone and readily accepted by the human body. When placed strategically as a set of four, implants create a stable foundation for a complete denture.

With proper diagnostic records, such as x-rays and a review of your medical history, a single-day treatment plan can be developed. In the same visit, your dental implants can be placed into the bone and a custom denture can be affixed. By the end of the procedure, most patients can resume a soft diet, as well as a perfectly normal lifestyle.

In essence, the implants act as a set of artificial tooth roots. With proper oral hygiene, the bone around the implants is preserved and the artificial tooth roots can absorb the forces of biting and chewing. In fact, bone loss is virtually halted, which helps to maintain the structure of your facial profile.

Achieving a strong, stable smile in a single day is indeed a reality. The pleasure of chewing, smiling, and speaking without dentures that click and slide gives many patients the confidence that they need to get through their day. The idea that one can begin life with a new set of teeth in one day is revolutionary.

Contact our implant dentist with East Hills Dental Associates, in Nassau County, today to schedule an appointment for your All-on-4 dental implants.

When faced with the prospect of replacing one or several teeth due to infection, trauma, or disease, dental implants offer an excellent option to regain the appearance and functionality once enjoyed before tooth loss.

Your implant dentist will conduct a thorough dental exam and review your general overall health to make sure you are a good candidate for dental implants. Patients that are at risk for implant failure are those suffering from autoimmune diseases like diabetes or those who have periodontal disease. Smokers are advised to quit before embarking on the implant process as smoking is a major contributor to implant failure.

Your implant dentist will also discuss the commitment required for a successful dental implant. Infection can result in implant failure so keeping the implant area flossed and clean during the healing process is critical.

Once the decision to move forward has been reached, a dental implant is surgically placed in the gum tissue where the tooth has been lost. The implant resembles a small screw, and is made of titanium or a similar metal that is designed to fuse to the bone.

After the implant has healed, which is typically four to six months, the strength and stability the implant offers to the replacement tooth is much like the benefit obtained from the roots of our natural teeth.

When your implant dentist is satisfied that the implant has healed and has successfully anchored to the bone, it is time to place the final restoration. This restoration has been fabricated to match the shape and shade of the surrounding teeth making it virtually undetectable.

The implant has now become part of your permanent dental anatomy. The restoration that was affixed to the implant is secure and functions much like your natural teeth. The ability to eat the foods you love, speak with confidence, and smile without hesitation are restored.

Moving forward, caring for your dental implant is no more difficult than observing the excellent oral hygiene habits of daily flossing and brushing at least twice per day. A visit to our Long Island dentist twice per year for a professional cleaning and exam will allow you to enjoy your dental implants and restoration for many years. For additional information, call the office of Dr. Richard Sousa at 516-484-6600.

Many Nassau County patients are turning to dental implants to replace teeth that are missing due to injury or tooth disease. However, implant dentists note that not everyone is a candidate for a dental implant.

With dental implants, your implant dentist will place a small titanium rod into your jawbone where the missing tooth is. Then the post needs a few months to heal and fuse with the bone. Because young children and teenagers are growing and their jaws are still developing, they may not be successful candidates for dental implants. The reason? There is a possibility that the implant could move or change as the jaw continues to develop.

There are special circumstances when the dentist may recommend a dental implant for a child or teenager, such as part of an orthodontic treatment plan. A dentist can examine a young patient’s mouth and jaw structure to determine if their growth and development is advanced enough for an implant.

For adults, there really is no cut off age; as long as there is enough healthy bone structure to support the implant, you could be a candidate well into your 80s or 90s.  Many senior patients choose dental implants over dentures for the convenience and more natural-looking results.

Factors other than young age that may make a patient an unlikely candidate for a dental implant are advanced gum disease or smoking. These factors can increase the risk of implant failure since they interfere with healing.

If you’re considering dental implants, be sure to consult with our implant dentistry team for a complete examination to see if you have any pre-existing conditions that might interfere with the implant’s success. Our experienced team can then develop a treatment plan to help bring your mouth back to optimum health.

If you want to replace one or more missing teeth, consider dental implants in Long Island NY 11577 to help you realize the smile of your dreams. One of the major benefits of dental implants is that they provide greater structural support to your mouth. And because they’re permanent, they also last longer than other alternatives like bridges, removable partials or dentures.

Many people consider dental implants to help prevent facial bone loss. When you’ve lost a tooth or had one extracted, there’s no longer anything there to stimulate bone growth in your mouth and you can begin to develop a hollow, sunken look. Dentures or partials will fill in the lost spaces, but won’t work to generate bone growth.

Dental implants are perfect whether you are missing one tooth or need a complete dental makeover. Here’s how the dental implant process works:

• Your implant dentist will thoroughly evaluate your mouth and gums to see if you’re a good candidate for implants. You’ll need to have sufficient bone in your jaw to support the implant, as well as healthy gums.
• Tiny posts made of titanium are then placed into your jaw where the missing tooth is.
• In three to six months the posts will heal and become bonded to your jaw bone.
• Your implant dentist will place a temporary crown on the post.
• Finally, the temporary crown will be replaced with a permanent, natural-looking implant tooth.

Unlike dentures, which can slip and become misaligned, dental implants allow you to eat and chew normally, smile with full confidence, and floss and brush your teeth without special instructions. The best thing is that no one will know you have implants — your replacement teeth will look just the same as your natural teeth.

For a healthy, sparkling smile, consider dental implants. Contact East Hills Dental Associates at 516-484-6600. We are happy to explain all of your options and create a customized treatment plan.