Losing a tooth for any reason is never ideal. At Palmieri Dentistry, we work hard to create beautiful, healthy, functioning smiles so that you can enjoy life.
We always recommend that you replace a missing tooth (even if it’s not visible when you smile), because leaving a gap in your teeth can diminish your self-confidence, keep you from living your life to the fullest, AND have negative repercussions on your oral health over time, including:
If you have one or more missing teeth, talk to Dr. Palmieri about your tooth replacement options. He may recommend a Dental Implant, the only truly permanent tooth replacement, to fully restore the function of your smile and the strength of your bite.
What is a Dental Implant?
A Dental Implant is a life-like prosthetic tooth that is bonded to your jawbone, creating a stable and sturdy replacement that stays permanently in place. Unlike a dental bridge, an implant doesn’t need to be anchored to the adjacent teeth and, therefore, creates a stronger structure that will not compromise any currently health teeth.
Benefits of Dental Implants
For lost, pulled, or otherwise missing adult teeth, dental implants offer an array of health and cosmetic benefits:
How do Dental Implants work?
Once Dr. Palmieri confirms you’re a candidate for a dental implant, it’s a two-phase treatment because there are two components to the implant — the titanium post and the abutment — that need to be placed separately.
Dr. Palmieri will first surgically implant the post into your gum, anchoring it to the jawbone. Over the next 6-12 weeks, the bone in your jaw will grow around and fuse to the first part of the implant.
On a follow-up visit, Dr. Palmieri will bond the abutment (the top part) to the post and prepare a porcelain crown (the only part that will be visible when you smile). He will make a digital impression of your existing teeth to replicate your bite and ensure that the crown fits in perfectly, and then he’ll bond the crown to the titanium root.
To make sure your dental implant blends in perfectly with your smile, Dr. Palmieri will select a matching shade of porcelain for crown that also replicates the translucence and stain resistance of your surrounding organic teeth. Under your gum line, the titanium metal base ensures longevity and stability. Dr. Palmieri proudly uses the Straumann® brand for all his dental implant treatments.
Do Dental Implants hurt?
Generally speaking, getting a dental implant is not particularly painful. To ensure that you’re as comfortable as possible during the procedure, Dr. Palmieri desensitizes the treatment area by administering a local anesthetic. You will have some swelling and discomfort after the procedure, which should resolve in a few days. Dr. Palmieri will give you instructions on how to care for your mouth while it is healing to ensure the shortest possible recovery time and minimize discomfort.
Is a Dental Implant a permanent solution?
A Dental Implant is a highly effective, long-term tooth replacement. If you are diligent with brushing and flossing, and you continue to visit Dr. Palmieri at least every 6 months for a cleaning and exam, your implant could very well last the rest of your life.
* In some cases, patients may be referred to a specialist for part (or all) of the implant placement procedure. Treatment time will vary from patient to patient, depending on the complexity of the case. Before beginning the implant placement process, Dr. Palmieri will explain all details, including whether a specialist will need to be involved and full treatment time.