Losing a tooth can change more than your smile — it can affect how you eat, speak, and feel about yourself. Modern dental implants are engineered to replace missing teeth in a way that restores both function and appearance. By replacing the root as well as the crown, implants recreate the mechanics of a natural tooth so chewing forces are distributed properly and neighboring teeth remain stable.
Implants are crafted from biocompatible materials and designed to fuse with the jawbone. This fusion creates a secure foundation for a crown, bridge, or denture that behaves much like a natural tooth. The result is a restoration that looks lifelike and provides the stability patients need to enjoy their favorite foods and speak without hesitation.
At the office of Lorber Dental NY, PLLC, our goal is to help patients understand the range of implant options available and to guide them through the process with clear, evidence-based information and careful treatment planning.
Replacing the tooth root matters because it preserves the bone that supports your facial structure. Without that stimulation, the underlying bone can resorb over time, which changes facial contours and complicates future treatment. An implant stimulates the jawbone much like a natural tooth root, helping maintain bone volume and overall facial balance.
Beyond bone preservation, implants protect the health of adjacent teeth. When a single gap is left unaddressed, neighboring teeth can drift and tilt, creating bite problems and increasing the risk of decay or periodontal issues. An implant-supported restoration maintains spacing and bite relationships without altering healthy teeth.
At its core, a dental implant is a small, threaded post typically made from titanium or a titanium alloy. The post is surgically placed into the jawbone where it serves as an artificial tooth root. Over several months, the surrounding bone grows tightly against the implant in a process called osseointegration — a biological bonding that gives implants their long-term stability.
Once osseointegration is complete, the implant can support a prosthesis — a single crown, a multi-unit bridge, or an overdenture. Prosthetic components are designed to attach securely to the implant platform and to deliver a natural looking emergence profile and chewing surface.
Because osseointegration is a biological process, good systemic health and careful surgical technique are important. Your dental team will assess bone quality, medical history, and oral health to tailor the treatment plan and maximize the chance of predictable integration.
Treatment planning begins with a detailed clinical exam and imaging to evaluate bone volume and anatomical structures. Digital tools allow precise planning of the implant position and prosthetic outcome before a single incision is made. This careful preoperative work helps reduce surprises and focus the procedure on long-term success.
In some cases, preparatory steps such as tooth extractions, tissue grafting, or sinus elevation are needed to create a healthy, stable environment for the implant. When these steps are required, they are staged to promote optimal healing and integration prior to placing the final restoration.
Implants offer several advantages compared with removable dentures or conventional bridges. They restore chewing efficiency more closely to natural teeth, help maintain bone levels, and eliminate the need to alter healthy adjacent teeth when replacing a single gap. These features make implants a compelling option for many patients seeking a long-term solution.
When planning care, clinicians weigh the patient’s oral health, habits, and restorative goals. For many people, implants provide a durable, low-maintenance outcome that preserves other oral structures and simplifies daily care. Properly placed and cared for, implant restorations can remain stable and functional for decades.
Another practical benefit is that implants eliminate the slipping and movement sometimes experienced with removable prostheses. This can improve clarity of speech, comfort while eating, and the confidence people feel when smiling and socializing.
Implant treatment can be tailored to the number of teeth missing and to your personal priorities — whether that’s a single discreet crown, a multi-tooth restoration, or a fixed full-arch solution. The selection of implants and prostheses depends on available bone, esthetic goals, and functional requirements.
For many patients, the flexibility of implant therapy is a major advantage: the same basic components can be configured to restore one tooth, several teeth, or a full dental arch with predictable, natural-looking results.
Below are common restorative approaches that our team may recommend based on a personalized treatment plan.
Many adults are candidates for dental implants, but candidacy is determined by a combination of factors including oral health, bone volume, and overall medical history. Smoking, uncontrolled systemic conditions, and active gum disease may require specific management to optimize outcomes. A comprehensive evaluation helps the clinical team tailor the plan to your situation and prioritize predictable, healthy results.
Diagnostic imaging and a careful review of your history allow clinicians to identify potential challenges and recommend preparatory procedures when necessary. The goal is to create a durable, functionally sound foundation for the eventual prosthetic teeth.
Implant placement is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia, with sedation options available for patient comfort. The surgical stage involves placing the implant into prepared bone, after which a healing period allows osseointegration. Temporary restorations may be provided while the implant integrates, depending on the treatment plan.
Once the implant has bonded with the bone, the restorative phase begins: an abutment is attached and the final crown, bridge, or denture is fabricated and secured. The entire process can span several months, but each phase is planned to support healing and a predictable long-term result.
When there isn’t sufficient bone to support an implant, bone grafting procedures can rebuild the supporting ridge. Grafts may use donor materials, synthetic substitutes, or your own bone to create a stable base. Bone augmentation is a routine and highly effective technique that expands candidacy for implants and contributes to durable outcomes.
Your clinician will explain whether grafting is advisable, how it affects the timeline, and what to expect during healing. With thoughtful planning, grafting enables implant placement that otherwise wouldn’t be possible.
Successful implant treatment is a collaboration between the patient and the dental team. Clear communication about oral health goals, realistic expectations, and post-treatment care helps ensure that implants function well for many years. Regular dental visits, daily oral hygiene, and routine professional care all contribute to implant longevity.
Our Brooklyn practice focuses on conservative, evidence-based dentistry and individualized treatment planning. When implants are appropriate, we combine modern diagnostics with careful surgical and restorative techniques to pursue predictable, esthetic outcomes for each patient.
Summary: Dental implants offer a reliable, long-term solution for replacing missing teeth by restoring root-level function, preserving bone, and delivering natural-looking results. If you’re considering implant dentistry and would like to learn more about available options, please contact us for more information.
If you've lost a tooth due to injury, decay, gum disease, or any other reason, we recommend dental implants to replace missing teeth. Dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth.
Dental implants are placed into the jawbone and mirror the same function as the root of a tooth. The procedure for dental implants is usually performed while a patient is sedated. Patients who undergo IV sedation must have an empty stomach and transportation home following the procedure. Most sedation patients will have little to no memory of the procedure occurring.
Generally, dental implants are made out of a biocompatible metal such as titanium. Biocompatible metals are also used for other common bone implants (such as shoulder, hip, and knee replacements). The visible portion of the implant is usually made out of porcelain and is custom-made to match your existing teeth.
Dental implants are designed to fuse to the bone, which makes them become permanent fixtures. Typically speaking, the success rate is nearly 100%. There are few cases in which the implant will not fuse as intended and must be removed. If this happens to occur, the procedure can be attempted again a few months later.
Dental implants are not usually covered by dental insurance, but may be covered under a patient's medical insurance. Our office and your insurance company can discuss coverage options with you based on your individual case and treatment plan.
It's easy... just take care of an implant as if it's a natural tooth! This involves regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups. If you have any concerns about your implant, contact us immediately.
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