The Best Reasons to Get Dental Implants in Brooklyn

When you have a tooth that is missing or damaged beyond repair, one possible treatment is an implant. While every patient is different, an implant is often the best option available to fill a gap in a smile. Here is what you should know about getting dental implants in Brooklyn:

They Last Longer Than Any Other Treatment

Tooth implants are surgically attached to your jaw, so there’s no need to worry about them slipping while you speak or chew. They essentially function just like a natural tooth. With the right care, your implant should last 25 years or longer.

They’re Indistinguishable from Your Other Teeth

Nobody will be able to tell you have a dental implant unless you tell them. They’re custom-designed to blend seamlessly into your smile. Furthermore, it will feel just like your other teeth in your mouth, which means no distracting sensations.

They’re Good for Your Teeth, Jaw, and Face

A missing tooth is more than just a gap in your smile; it can also have health impacts on the surrounding teeth, the jawbone, and even your face. The nearby teeth shift towards each other to try to close the gap, creating misalignment. Your jawbone loses density and mass without the tooth root in place. Over time, your face can even sag, aging you prematurely. Dental implants prevent all this by physically filling in the missing space, including the root.

How Your Brooklyn Dentist Can Ease Your Anxiety

Do you dread going to the dentist? You’re not alone. Surveys estimate that almost 75% of American adults experience some fear of dental appointments, and about 5% to 10% have severe enough anxiety to qualify for having a dental phobia. However, putting off appointments will steeply increase your risk of dental and gum diseases. The good news is that there are things your Brooklyn dentist can do to make your visit easier, such as the following:

Easier Injections

Many people report that the #1 reason they hate going to dental appointments is they don’t want to get a shot in their mouth. Fortunately, dental injections can be near painless nowadays. Most clinics apply a numbing gel to your gums prior to the injection so that you only feel slight pressure. Other dentists also use a tool called “the wand” that uses a tiny needle to deliver the anesthesia at a low pressure and slow rate.

Sedation Dentistry

If you simply can’t handle having someone work on your mouth, ask about sedation dentistry. Your dentist may use nitrous oxide (also called “happy gas”) to keep you calm and pain-free while you receive treatment. Another option is IV sedation or “twilight sleep.” Under IV sedation, you’ll still be conscious, but you’ll be so relaxed that you likely won’t remember much of the procedure. People report that it’s as if they were asleep the whole time.

Guide for Eating with Dental Implants

Dental implants are mostly like your own teeth. They are artificial replacements for one individual tooth or series of teeth. One of the biggest worries patients have about dental implants in Brooklyn is how dental implants will affect the way and what food they eat.

Dental implants allow most patients to retain 90% of their chewing ability. On the other hand, if you choose dentures, then a person retains only 20% of chewing ability. In practical terms, since you will not have 100% of your chewing ability with dental implants, you will need to make some long term decisions about what not to eat.

You Can Eat Nuts and Candy With Dental Implants

The difference is that you must do this carefully. After your initial recovery period, nuts are something that you should think about as a snack. Nuts can be quite hard and could cause issues. While you won’t need to avoid them completely, you should try to be careful when enjoying nuts.

Most dentists wish that patients would avoid sugary candy altogether. However, having a piece of chocolate is an indulgence that can help improve the quality of life. With dental implants, it is best to avoid chewing on hard candies or very sticky candies, like caramels or taffy.

You Can Drink Red Wine and Coffee With Dental Implants

Yes, you can, enjoy your wine and coffee, but remember, not only can red wine, and coffee permanently stain your teeth, but dental implants are even more susceptible to staining. Consume these drinks in moderation, and be sure to brush your teeth immediately after drinking.

You Can Eat Apples With Dental Implants

You can eat apples if you cut them first. Avoid biting straight into an apple if you have dental implants. Apples, and other fruits and vegetables, should be avoided for your initial recovery period and then consumed with care after that.

Don’t Go to the ER for Dental Emergencies

In recent times, nearly 800,000 Americans per year have been going to the ER for a dental emergency and unfortunately, in a vast majority of cases, patients were not able to be treated adequately. So, on top of a huge ER bill, the patient gets referred to a dentist, where they likely spent a few hundred more dollars for proper emergency dentistry in Windsor Terrace.

ER Visits Cost More Than A Dental Exam

Many Americans put off their regular dental cleanings and check-ups, and the result is an increasing number of people opting to forego preventative dental care. Preventative dental care is an investment against the need for emergency dentistry. A single trip to the emergency room can cost as much as a few years of regularly scheduled dental exams. Spending so much for a single visit that provides nearly no relief can be frustrating and can strain your finances.

Only Dentists Can Perform Dentistry

Many people don’t understand that in most states, it is illegal for anyone other than a qualified dentist to pull a tooth, fill a cavity, or perform any emergency dentistry. Finding an emergency room with a dentist on staff is extremely rare. Emergency room doctors can’t do much more for you than provide painkillers and/or antibiotics. This may provide some temporary pain relief, but you will still need to see a proper dentist to fix the “root” of the problem.

Dentures or Dental Implants in Brooklyn?

When you suffer from tooth loss and want to restore your smile, there are a couple of options to consider. You can choose between dentures or dental implants in Brooklyn. At Park Slope Dentistry, we are well versed in these choices for tooth replacement, and we’re going to provide information to help you make the best decision.

Before we go any further, we would like to point out that there are more than cosmetic reasons to replace missing teeth, although that certainly is a legitimate one. Spaces in your gums become targets for bacteria that can lead to infections and disease. Additionally, your remaining teeth will begin to shift to fill in gaps, which means your mouth structure can become unstable. This could even lead to further tooth loss.

Dental implants and dentures are different approaches for replacing teeth. Dentures are removable and should be secured with adhesive, so they don’t slip while eating or talking. They are popular with individuals who are missing many teeth.

Dental implants are affixed to the jaw and are a permanent solution to tooth loss. Users say they feel more comfortable than dentures and the consensus is that they look more natural. Implants require much less attention and maintenance than dentures. This means they are less expensive in the long run because they need fewer visits to your dental care provider.

Discuss your options with your dentist to make sure you choose the solution that is best for you.

Prevent Gum Disease - Advice from Park Slope Family Dentistry

Dental care is as much about healthy gums is it as about strong teeth. Many people overlook that fact, but it’s vital to maintain your gums as well. At Park Slope Dentistry, we have established a name for ourselves as the go-to clinic for Park Slope family dentistry, and we want to provide you with advice for preventing gum disease.

This is also known as periodontal disease, and it occurs when bacteria in plaque build up between the teeth and gums. The result is often inflammation that may even lead to deterioration of the gums and supporting bone. Tooth loss and receding gums will likely follow if this disease is left untreated. 

Comprehensive family dentistry makes sure that everyone of all ages uses the proper methods to prevent periodontal disease. The best way to avoid this condition is with the simple steps of oral health care. The foundation of brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash provides a solid basis for prevention.

You can also halt this from occurring with regular family dentist visits. If you are at risk for periodontal disease, you should also get an annual checkup as early detection is the key to maintaining your oral health.

What to Do When Your Dental Implant Breaks

All of a sudden, you hear a cracking noise, look inside your mouth, and find your implant is broken. When this happens, the first thing you should do is call your oral surgeon to schedule a visit as soon as possible. With an exam of your dental implants in Brooklyn, they can find out what the problem is.

It’s not common for an implant to fail, as they’re as strong and sturdy as your natural teeth. However, it can happen. Sometimes, the implant itself will break. This is the titanium screw implanted in your gums to take the place of a tooth root. In this case, your surgeon can replace the screw.

In other cases, the crown itself could crack. When this happens, your dentist has a new crown made to replace the damaged one.

How to Protect Your Implants

At your semiannual checkups, your dentist looks at the condition of all of your teeth, including dental implants. Then, lets you know about any problems. With this mind, make sure to keep your regular schedule of appointments.

There are other things you can do. One is to avoid grinding your teeth. This damages your teeth and implants. Another is to stop chewing certain foods, such as hard candy, nuts, and ice. And a third is to drink your beverages at warm -- not hot -- temperatures, as heat impacts the crown and implant itself. But with care, you only have to replace the crowns every 10 to 15 years.