Dental Implants in Albany, NY

Dental implants are permanent replacements for missing teeth. Specifically, a dental implant is a metal post that acts like a tooth root that holds a natural-looking crown, so that the replacement tooth looks, feels, and functions like a real tooth.

The dental implant procedure involves implanting a titanium or zirconia post in the jawbone. Over the course of three to four months, the bone fuses with the implant to create an extremely secure and durable foundation. After the implant fuses with the bone, the dentist will create a crown that closely resembles the patient’s other teeth.

Implants do more than just look good – they also help maintain the shape and dimension of the jaw after the loss of a tooth. The pressure of biting down and chewing stimulates the growth of new tissue in the jawbone; this stimulation stops when you lose a tooth, and as the result, your jaw can lose bone tissue and change shape. Dental implants act like a real tooth in that biting and chewing stimulates bone growth.

Advances in dental technology have improved dental implants. Today’s dental implants can fit specific needs. Patients can receive mini-dental implants, which are narrower than standard implants, to replace teeth that do not undergo a lot of stress when the patient bites down. Mini-dental implants can also stabilize lower dentures and make them more comfortable.

About the Dental Implant Procedure

Implant planning is a multi-step, restorative-based process: in other words, we begin with the end in mind. The entire process takes an average of three to five months.

Determining the best type of implant and its precise location requires several steps:

• A consultation and evaluation to determine if you are a good candidate for implants
• Getting a 3D x-ray of your jaw to determine the best location for the implant, and the amount of preparatory work is required for placement of the implant
• Using the 3D image to design a surgical guide for the placement of the implant
• Completion of the implant placement procedure
• The recovery period that allows the implant to integrate into the bone
• Placing the crown

Your dentist will supply a custom-made guard to maintain and protect the implant from the damaging forces associated with chewing or grinding.

Contact our office today to learn more about how dental implants in Albany NY can improve your smile and your confidence!