Dental implants
An implant is a titanium post placed in the jaw, which the bone grows onto. Once it has, it carries a crown, a bridge or a denture, and it loads the bone the way a natural root does.
Jawbone maintains itself because teeth push on it. Take the root away and the ridge shrinks, which is why long-term denture wearers change shape in the face.
A bridge is anchored by cutting down the healthy teeth either side. An implant leaves its neighbours alone.
Fixed, not removable. Most patients stop thinking about which side they eat on.
Months rather than weeks, most of it spent waiting for bone.
X-rays and a scan to measure the bone, plus a look at your general health. Some medical conditions and medications change the plan.
The post is placed under local anaesthetic, with sedation if you want it. Most people describe it as easier than an extraction.
Typically a few months for the bone to integrate, then the crown, bridge or denture is made and fitted.
Two hospital fellowships
Dr. Susie Ko completed a two-year implant fellowship at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, alongside her general practice residency. Dr. Lauren Cantwell was Chief Resident at North Shore and earned her implant fellowship in 2017. Dr. Lizzio has placed and restored implants for years.
Planning, surgery and the final restoration happen in the same building, with the same notes, so nobody optimises their own stage at the expense of yours.
Questions
The placement itself is done under local anaesthetic and most patients report less discomfort than they expected, often less than an extraction. Sedation is available if the idea of it is the problem.
Commonly three to six months from placement to final tooth, because the bone has to grow onto the implant. Some cases allow a temporary tooth in the meantime so you are not left with a gap.
It depends on the number of teeth, the state of the bone and whether a graft is needed, so any figure quoted before an examination is a guess. We quote in writing after the consultation and can spread the payment.
Titanium is not rejected the way a transplanted organ is. Implants can fail to integrate, most often where there is smoking, uncontrolled diabetes or untreated gum disease, which is why those get addressed first.
Brush and floss them like teeth, and keep your cleaning appointments. Implants do not decay, but the gum and bone around them can become infected, and that is what loses them.
When a tooth needs covering rather than filling.
Explore →A fixed replacement anchored to its neighbours.
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Full and partial, with implant options.
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When a tooth genuinely cannot be kept.
Explore →Gum disease caught, treated and kept in check.
Explore →The appointment that prevents the other eight.
Explore →Next step
The first appointment is an examination and a conversation. There is no obligation to book treatment at the end of it.