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Dr. Guy Spinner
16 Old Riverhead Road
Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
631.288.9000

Dental Implant Process

Cosmetic Dentist in Long Island, Westhampton, Southampton and surrounding areas

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Many patients suffer from sore spots, gaps and other discomforts caused by bridges and dentures. Dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement solution that eliminates these problems. A patient needs to be evaluated by a dental team to determine if they are a good candidate for the procedure and be willing to commit to up to 6 months for the complete implant process.

Evaluation
The first step in the implant process is to pick a dental team made up of, an experienced restorative dentist like Dr. Guy Spinner, an oral surgeon or periodontist . The patient will undergo a thorough examination and evaluation of their oral and overall health, including a review of their medical and dental history. The dental implant specialist is checking to make sure the patient’s bones can support the implants and that there is no health issues to hinder a successful procedure.

An x-ray and a CT scan will be taken to determine the patient’s bone density. To increase the success for the procedure, the patient may have to undergo a bone graft or bone augmentation either before or during the implant procedure. If a bone graft is needed, the patient will need an addition 4 to 12 months healing time before the implants can be surgically inserted. The patient can be fitted with temporary dentures or bridges until they are ready for their dental implant surgery.

The Surgical Procedure
The patient can be anesthetized locally or completely sedated by oral or intravenous medication. The surgeon makes an incision in the gums to expose the jawbone then drills a small hole into the bone for the implant. A titanium screw is implanted into the bone and covered by a temporary protective shield to aid in the healing process. Each implant procedure takes about an hour per tooth. After the surgery is completed, the implant takes several months to attach to the bone. In the meantime, the patient wears a temporary crown and/or dentures until the permanent replacements are ready.

Restoration
After the teeth replacements return from the lab, they are bonded to the implants. The life of the implants can range from 10 to 20 years depending on the location of the implant and how well the patient takes care of them. Molars do the grinding and chewing work in the mouth and have a shorter lifespan than frontal implants. With an overall 90 to 95 percent success rate, most patients are much happier to swap out their dentures and bridges for implants.

In Long Island, Westhampton, Southampton, New York, please contact the dental implant specialists at Smile Solutions. We’ll take care of all your cosmetic dentistry and oral health needs because few things compare to the health and happiness of a beautiful smile.

631.288.9000

16 Old Riverhead Road
Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
Fax: 631.288.1800