Dental Implants – Schoharie, NY

Modern, Lifelike Replacement Teeth

Dental implants are a modern restorative dentistry treatment that is able to replace the entire structure of missing teeth from the roots upward, which is what sets it apart from other traditional options like dentures and bridges. This process secures dental prosthetics directly to your jawbone, just like your natural teeth, providing them with an unwavering foundation that can last for decades with regular maintenance. To learn about what dental implants in Schoharie could do for you, schedule a consultation today at Schoharie Dental.

Why Choose Schoharie Dental for Dental Implants?

  • Start-to-Finish Dental Implant Treatment
  • Same-Day Replacement Teeth
  • Financing Available Through CareCredit

What Are Dental Implants?

Animated dental implant in Schoharie with abutment and dental crown

A dental implant is a biocompatible titanium screw-like device with a treated surface that is inserted in the jawbone and left to heal and fuse with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration for three to four months. Then, a dental crown, bridge, or denture is attached. Dental implants are the ideal solution for replacing missing single or multiple teeth, and under dentures for increased stability and retention.

The 4-Step Dental Implant Process

woman smiling while standing outside

Since our team at Schoharie Dental can handle the entire procedure in-house, we streamline the journey to a restored smile, saving you both time and money. With specialized training, our dentists guide you through each step, ensuring continuity of care with the familiar faces you trust. Although every patient’s implant journey may look slightly different, below are the main steps you can expect as you complete your smile.

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

dentist explaining dental implants to patient

Our highly trained dentists will assess your candidacy for dental implants and devise a personalized treatment plan, ensuring you achieve your desired results. You can expect to engage in comprehensive discussions about your health history and treatment goals during your consultation. This, along with advanced imaging, will allow us to gather a thorough understanding of your jawbone's condition.

Dental Implant Surgery

dentist holding implant post during surgery

Following any preliminary procedures, such as bone grafts or gum disease treatment, our minimally invasive in-house surgery places your dental implants precisely. The procedure involves incisions, the insertion of implant posts, and closure, with a focus on patient comfort. Don’t worry – local anesthesia and sedation will ensure a comfortable experience. In fact, most patients resume work within days of their procedure!

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement

patient smiling with dental implant in mouth

Osseointegration refers to the natural biological process that occurs after dental implant placement. During this phase, your bone tissue gradually bonds with the implants, creating a sturdy and enduring connection. This integration is crucial as it establishes the implants as a solid foundation for supporting your new teeth.

Following successful osseointegration, a potential next step involves a second minor surgical procedure. During this step, we expose your dental implants and affix small attachments known as abutments to them. It's important to note that this secondary surgery isn't always necessary since, in some cases, abutments may be placed during the initial implantation procedure.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations

patient smiling while sitting in dental chair

Finally, to conclude the dental implant process, the last phase focuses on designing and placing your new crown, bridge, or denture. We start by taking precise impressions of your mouth and carefully choosing the color, size, and shape of your new teeth. This detailed information is then forwarded to a trusted dental lab.

Once the lab completes the fabrication of your restoration, we’ll conduct a thorough quality check to ensure it aligns with our standards before affixing it to your implants. Then, we’ll arm you with essential care tips, allowing you to fully enjoy the numerous benefits of your revitalized smile.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Animated dental implant in the lower jaw

Each year, roughly 500,000 patients choose dental implants. That’s because they offer a wide array of benefits that set them apart from other tooth replacements. Some of the unique advantages of choosing this cutting-edge option include:

Day-to-Day Benefits

Woman smiling while eating healthy meal at home

After the healing period, you’ll notice an immediate improvement in your day-to-day life thanks to dental implants. Here are a few examples:

  • Easier Maintenance – Unlike other tooth-replacement solutions, you don’t need to buy any special oral hygiene products to implement a cumbersome dental care regimen to keep your dental implants in pristine condition.
  • Increased Confidence – Since dental implants have a lifelike appearance, they will blend in seamlessly with your natural teeth or replace an entire arch of teeth without feeling bulky or unnatural.
  • Eat a Varied Diet – Tooth loss can limit your diet to just scrambled eggs, oatmeal, plain yogurt, and other soft foods. Filling the gaps in your smile with dental implants can restore the strength of your bite. In fact, they can restore up to 90 percent of your bite power!

Health Benefits

Woman smiling at reflection in handheld dental mirror

In addition to improving your overall quality of life, dental implants can improve your overall health. Not only will they help you get the nutrients you need through a varied diet, but they also benefit you through:

  • Jawbone Preservation – Dental implants are currently the only tooth-replacement option that replaces the root of your tooth as well. As a result, it stimulates your jawbone when you chew, just like your natural teeth. This helps prevent bone loss over time.
  • Protection for Your Natural Teeth – Have you heard of dental drift? This refers to your teeth moving out of position following tooth loss. The good news is that dental implants can help prevent that from happening since they are self-supporting and keep your teeth where they belong.
  • Better Overall Health – Since there is a correlation between tooth loss and an increased risk of several diseases, rebuilding your smile with dental implants can benefit your overall health as well.

Long-Term Benefits

Closeup of senior man smiling at home

Of course, the long-term benefits are equally as noteworthy. Here are a few examples:

  • High Success Rate – Dental implants have roughly a 95% success rate, and it’s even higher among patients who do not smoke.
  • Youthful Appearance – Since dental implants stimulate the jawbone when you chew, they help preserve your youthful appearance by preventing a sunken, aged look.
  • Long-Lasting Results – Arguably the biggest perk of all, dental implants can last for 30 years with proper care. In fact, for some patients, they last a lifetime!

Who Dental Implants Can Help

Dental implants in Schoharie aren’t always the best tooth replacement option for every situation, which is why we conduct a consultation before moving forward with any procedures. Based on your goals as well as other factors, like your jawbone density and medical history, Dr. Elbialy will make a personalized treatment plan to restore your smile that may include any of the following tooth replacement strategies.

Missing One Tooth

Animated dental implant with dental crown

To replace a single tooth, we will place a titanium dental implant below the surface of the gumline. Once it has fused with the jawbone, we can attach a customized dental crown to it to fill the hole in your arch.

Missing Multiple Teeth

Two animated dental implants with dental bridge

Instead of burdening your natural teeth to anchor a traditional fixed bridge, we can place two dental implants at either side of the space in your smile to secure the restoration and replace anywhere from two to four missing teeth.

Missing All of Your Teeth

Animated implant denture supported by six dental implants

If you’re missing an entire arch of teeth, we’ll strategically place anywhere from four to eight dental implants across your arch. Once they have fused with the jawbone, they will hold a customized fixed prosthesis or a removable implant denture in place, restoring your entire arch of teeth.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

a tooth surrounded by coins portraying dental implant cost

While dental implants offer life-changing results for replacing missing teeth, it’s important to know how much the treatment will cost. Since every patient is different, you won’t be able to receive a price estimate for your procedure without an initial consultation. During this visit, our team will evaluate your situation so we can discuss a more precise cost of dental implants as well as the methods available to you for making your treatment more manageable.

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

a dentist explaining the cost of dental implants

Those who have existing oral health issues will require preliminary services to resolve them before moving forward with their treatment plan. These can involve gum disease therapy, bone grafting, and even tooth extractions if necessary, which can increase the overall cost. Of course, this will also ensure more successful results.

The surgery itself will also come with its unique price, which typically starts at $3,000. Fortunately, the entire process can be completed in-house, so you won’t have to drive across town or receive a bill from a different provider.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

a 3 D illustration of the parts of dental implants

The cost of dental implants can also be affected by various factors, such as:

  • Number of implants: Replacing a single tooth will cost much less compared to replacing an entire arch of missing teeth.
  • Type of restoration: Crowns, dental bridges, and dentures usually come with different prices. Each option comes in different sizes as well, which can affect the cost.
  • Material: Dental implants can be made of different materials, such as zirconia and titanium, which will cost significantly different from each other.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

a patient smiling after undergoing dental implant treatment

While some patients might consider getting dental bridges or dentures for a more cost-effective option, they should remember the value dental implants bring in the long term. Firstly, you won’t require replacements every several years like other restorations, and you shouldn’t need special cleaning products or solutions to preserve them. They’ll simply require normal teeth cleaning methods to make the most of them for decades to come. This can also help you avoid oral health issues as well as costly treatments.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

a patient learning about dental insurance for dental implants

Though dental insurance may not cover the overall cost of dental implants, some providers can at least help cover the parts of your treatment. This can involve the restorations themselves (crowns, dental bridges, or dentures) and any preliminary procedures you might require. Make sure to consult your insurance company and dentist about the details of your plan so you know to maximize your benefits.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

a man holding a piggy bank for dental implants

Even if you don’t have dental insurance, you might be eligible for alternative financing solutions, such as CareCredit and Lending Point. These third-party financiers offer plans that can split up your treatment price into monthly installments which often come with little to no interest! This can make your payments more manageable and stress-free as you rebuild your beautiful and healthy smile.

Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implant

man smiling with arms crossed while standing outside

Do you want your dental implants to stand the test of time? Of course, you do! With proper maintenance, they can remain effective and strong even 30 years after they’re placed. Fortunately, caring for your implants is as easy as caring for natural teeth. Additionally, you can protect your investment in your smile by making wise and healthy lifestyle choices. Continue reading for some valuable tips that’ll help you get the most out of your new smile!

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

older couple brushing teeth in bathroom

Even after replacing your natural teeth, it's crucial to continue basic dental care practices – brushing and flossing every day. While your prosthetic teeth may be resistant to cavities, plaque and bacteria can still accumulate on your restorations, potentially causing infections or other issues. Brushing twice a day and flossing daily can prevent buildup and extend the longevity of your implants.

Eat a Healthy Diet

older couple shopping for healthy food

The foods you eat nourish not only your body, but also the bacteria residing in your mouth. Although dental implants are resistant to decay, your diet can influence your oral health and the ongoing well-being of your smile. Eating lots of starchy or sugary foods will promote the growth of bacteria, leading to gum disease and potential implant failure. Instead, you should fill up on healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and fat-free dairy products.

Break Bad Habits

closeup of man biting fingernails

To ensure your implants last as long as possible, consider adjusting your lifestyle. Avoiding habits like chewing on ice or other hard objects (such as pencils, fingernails, or packaging) is essential, as these can exert significant force and pose a risk of implant failure. Additionally, smoking or using tobacco products can encourage bacterial growth in the mouth, potentially resulting in gum disease or other complications. It's a good idea to break such habits and replace them with healthier alternatives, such as using proper tools for opening packaging.

Protect Your Dental Implants

man holding mouthguard in hand

Dental implants are tough, but not indestructible. If you grind or clench your teeth, it can negatively affect both the implants and their restorations. In that case, wearing an oral appliance can help break the habit. And if you're into sports, wearing a mouthguard is a great way to shield your face from unexpected hits.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

patient sitting while dentist looks in mouth

Even if you're doing a great job with your oral care at home, plaque can still sneak in and cause issues over time. That's why it's crucial to keep up with regular checkups and cleanings with our team, even if you don't have any natural teeth left. These appointments allow us to ensure your implants are in top-notch condition and keep your smile healthy!

Dental Implant FAQs

a patient smiling after getting dental implants

With dental implants, you’ll be able to replace your missing teeth and rely on a longer-lasting and more natural-feeling tooth replacement option than ever before. Still, it’s normal to want to know more about this treatment before moving forward with it. That’s why our team has taken the time to list some of our most frequently asked questions about dental implants from our patients in Schoharie. Keep reading to learn more or reach out to our team to schedule your consultation!

Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

Firstly, our team will do everything we can to ensure that you’re as comfortable as possible during your appointment. We’ll begin your procedure by completely numbing the area that we’ll be working on with a local anesthetic, significantly reducing discomfort. Furthermore, the jawbone doesn’t consist of many nerve endings, so you shouldn’t expect much pain throughout your visit. The surgery itself won’t hurt, but it’s normal to feel sore or tender for the next few days following your procedure. To make your recovery smoother, you’ll simply need to take over-the-counter/prescribed pain relievers and/or a cold compress to alleviate discomfort. If you notice any pain that persists or worsens after several days, come see us for help.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

In general, dental implants are so successful that you can expect them to last several decades to even a lifetime. However, this will mainly depend on how well you take care of them. Not only will you need to regularly brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash every day, but you’ll also need to visit your dentist at least every six months so they can monitor your progress as well as your oral health. It’s also important that you implement a healthier diet consisting of nutritious meals like fruits, veggies, and lean protein to promote strong and healthy gum tissue and jawbone density. Avoid chewing anything too hard or sticky, as this can cause damage or complications with your implants.

Can I Get Dental Implants If I’m Diabetic?

If you have diabetes, you’ll need to keep your condition under control so that your odds of successful treatment can be on par with that of nondiabetic patients. If left unchecked, your situation can negatively impact your healing process, making it more difficult for your dental implants to properly fuse with your jawbone. Consult your endocrinologist or primary care provider to see how you can manage your blood sugar levels before moving forward with dental implant treatment.

Am I Too Young to Get Dental Implants?

Anyone younger than 18 years old may not be eligible for dental implants. This is because their jawbone is still maturing and hasn’t fully developed. If placed, the posts can end up interfering with bone development and lead to certain issues. Some people’s jaws might fully develop during their mid-20s. Our team will be sure to evaluate your situation during your consultation and determine if this treatment is right for you.