Permanent Solutions From Dr. Ambis

After a long battle of trying to keep your teeth healthy, tooth loss can feel like it’s the end. However, it’s not the end. At Edward J. Ambis Center for Dental Medicine, we provide comprehensive dental implant treatment for a single or multiple missing teeth. Our start-to-finish smile rehabilitation services in Ithaca, NY, help you achieve a healthy, functional, and beautiful smile.

If you're ready to restore your smile to perfection, schedule an appointment with Dr. Edward Ambis by calling us at 607-272-1874.

dental implant

Advantages of Dental Implants

There are many benefits to choosing implants to replace missing teeth:

  • Non-invasive to neighboring healthy teeth
  • Non-invasive to neighboring healthy teeth
  • Supports your surrounding teeth
  • Stimulates the jaw
  • Non-invasive to neighboring healthy teeth
  • Durable enough to withstand everyday wear
  • The highest success rate of any dental restoration
  • Ability to last an entire lifetime
  • Functional for single or multiple-tooth replacement

What are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is a dental prosthetic that our dentists can use to fill the gaps in your smile. While dental implants look like natural teeth, they also mimic their function from tooth root to crown. This is because they’re attached directly to your jawbone, providing you with a strong restoration.

Healthy Choice for Your Smile

Unlike other options, dental implants offer you a permanent restoration replacement tooth that feels and acts like a natural tooth. We don’t have to reshape, remove, or alter adjacent teeth to support it. As a result, implants are a less-invasive and healthier alternative for our patients with missing teeth.

Additionally, caring for your dental implants is simple. Simply brush and floss them daily, and schedule a checkup at Edward J. Ambis Center for Dental Medicine every six months to have them professionally cleaned and examined.

Determining Your Candidacy

If you’re missing one or more teeth, you may be a candidate for dental implants. However, every patient's situation is unique. During a comprehensive evaluation, Dr. Ambis will determine if you are a good candidate for implants. Some factors he considers include:

  • Overall Oral Health – Patients need to have healthy gums and adequate bone density in the jaw to properly support the implant. Certain conditions like advanced periodontal disease may need to be treated first.
  • Adequate Bone Volume – Sufficient bone density and volume in the jaw are required to allow the implant to integrate. If bone loss is present, bone grafting may be recommended.
  • Health of Surrounding Teeth – Nearby teeth need to be free of decay and infection to help ensure implant success.
  • Medical Conditions – Certain medical conditions like uncontrolled diabetes may impact healing. Your restorative plan can be adapted accordingly.
  • Oral Habits – Habits like bruxism (teeth grinding) may increase implant failure risk and need to be addressed first.
  • Anatomical Limitations – Factors like limited space between teeth can impact implant placement.
  • Commitment – Patients need to be committed to proper implant care and maintenance for long-term success.

During your visit, Dr. Ambis will perform exams, take X-rays, and consider your unique situation. He will then determine if implants are right for you, or if alternative options may be better suited.

The Implant Placement Process

Getting dental implants is a multi-step process that involves surgery and healing time. Here are the steps:

Initial Consultation

Thorough oral exams and x-rays are taken to assess your jawbone health and structure. Your medical history is reviewed to identify any conditions that may impact healing. Study models, photos, and scans may be taken to plan treatment.

Develop a Custom Treatment Plan

Based on the collected records, Dr. Ambis will design a tailored implant plan including the type of implants, number needed, and placement locations. He will review the plan with you and discuss finances.

Implant Surgery

After anesthesia is administered, a small incision is made in the gums to expose the bone. Precision drills are used to create channels in the jawbone for the implants. Titanium posts are inserted into the prepped channels. The gums are closed with stitches.

Initial Healing Stage

The first week after surgery focuses on allowing the implants to integrate with the bone through a process called osseointegration. Medications will manage discomfort. Follow all postoperative care instructions.

Prosthesis Fabrication

After two to three months of healing, impressions are taken to fabricate custom implant prosthetics like crowns, bridges, or dentures. Temporary restorations may be placed.

Implant Prosthesis Placement

The custom prosthetic is securely attached to the implant site after four to six months of healing. This completes your functional, natural-looking restoration.

Follow-up Care

Regular dental visits are required to monitor your implants, remove plaque, and detect any issues early. Excellent oral hygiene is critical for lifelong success.

The implant process often spans six to nine months. Patience during the healing process allows for the best outcomes. Let us know if you have any other questions!

Caring for Your Implants

Once your implants are in place, proper care and maintenance are essential for their longevity. Follow these tips to keep your implants healthy:

  • Brush Thoroughly Twice Daily - Gently brush around the implant crowns and nearby teeth using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Avoid abrasive brushes.
  • Floss once daily - Carefully floss between the implant crowns as well as your natural teeth to remove plaque.
  • Use antimicrobial mouth rinse - Swish daily with an antimicrobial rinse like Peridex to reduce bacteria around implants.
  • Avoid hard foods - Sticky, crunchy, or hard foods could damage the implant crowns. Avoid ice and hard candies.
  • Quit smoking - Smoking severely limits implant success. Quitting can significantly improve outcomes.
  • Get professional cleanings - See your hygienist every 3-4 months to have plaque and tartar removed from the implant and natural tooth surfaces.
  • Monitor for changes - Watch for signs like swelling, discomfort, or loose implants which may indicate a problem. Report them promptly.

Following proper at-home care and professional cleanings will help your implants last for many years. Contact our office with any implant-related questions or concerns.


Frequently Asked
Questions

▼Will insurance cover my implants?

Dental implants are generally regarded as being medically necessary due to their function of allowing you to eat, as well as supporting the surrounding teeth and facial structure. This makes insurance more inclined to cover such a procedure, but every insurance plan differs. Call your dental insurance company to make sure an implant procedure is covered.

▼How long does it take to get dental implants?

Getting dental implants generally takes five to eight months to complete, though this depends on several factors such as the condition of your oral health. After receiving your implants, you’ll need to wait for your mouth to completely heal before receiving your restoration. Your implant dentists can provide you with a more precise treatment timeline at your consultation.

▼If I have gum disease, can I still get dental implants?

If you suffer from gum disease, you’ll need to eliminate the infection before starting your dental implant treatment. Gum disease interferes with the jawbone’s ability to heal properly around the surgery site, which may interfere with your implant placement.

▼Are there age restrictions on dental implants?

Dental implants are the preferred method for tooth replacement because they can last a lifetime. Unlike other restoration procedures, dental implants increase your bone density, thereby preventing deterioration. You won’t have slippage or difficulty speaking like with traditional dentures, and you’ll quickly become accustomed to your artificial teeth thanks to their natural look and feel.

Choose Security with Dr. Ambis

Once your new teeth have been implanted, they function no differently than your natural teeth. Simply brush and floss as you normally would, and they will last you a lifetime! Our dental team here is eager to guide you on this journey. Call our Ithaca, NY office today at 607-272-1874 to set up an appointment, or fill out our convenient online contact form. We proudly serve patients in the Ithaca, Lansing, and Dryden areas.

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