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A few things can dramatically alter a smile eg. losing a tooth. Your smile is a powerful tool. A healthy, complete, and bright smile can open many doors, but missing teeth can also close the same doors.
Given the importance of your smile, Dr. MitzAnn Alexis-Edmond and her team at Elevation Dental Studio work hard to provide the best restorative options, such as dental implants, to fix incomplete smiles.
People can look down on those with missing teeth and often make character judgments based on this alone. This is especially harmful to teens and young adults, as their peer group may judge them more harshly.
Missing teeth are also literal open doors that invite oral health issues like gum disease and tooth decay. They can also weaken your jaw and even alter the shape of your face.
Dental implants are made up of three parts. The first is the dental post, which is a special biocompatible titanium screw which is placed in your jawbone. The second part is the abutment that connects the post to the third part, the cap or dental crown.
After examining your overall oral health, the first step is to determine whether the underlying jawbone is strong enough to support an implant.
In some cases, clients may need a bone graft to create a more stable foundation. A tooth extraction or oral surgery may also be necessary if the tooth being replaced is still present or there are fragments left that must be removed.
The implant surgery involves the placement of a titanium screw into the jawbone. This is an outpatient procedure that usually involves only local anesthesia to reduce discomfort.
The healing process, also called osseointegration, can take 4–6 months to complete. As the soft tissues heal, the post, protected by a temporary crown, fuses with your jawbone to create a foundation that can be even stronger than a natural tooth root.
When you return to the office, we will then attach the abutment, which is a metal piece that connects to the post and allows us to screw on your new restoration.
The dental crown, which is usually porcelain, is custom-made to match the color and shape of your natural teeth. This prosthetic tooth is indistinguishable from any other tooth in your smile.
While your implant is healing, it’s best to avoid biting on hard objects, as this can negatively impact the osseointegration process.
You may want to use cool packs to soothe your jaws, cheeks, and chin if you’re experiencing discomfort.
Minor bleeding is normal and minimized by gauze. But once the bleeding stops, you’ll want to remove the gauze.
You’ll also want to avoid bending over, spitting, rinsing, or using a straw for the first 24 hours.
Avoid smoking or strenuous physical activity for the first ten days.
If prescribed, be sure to use a special mouth rinse for the first two weeks as directed.
If you’re interested in learning more about how dental implants can save your smile, please call Elevation Dental Studio at (914) 252-3238 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Edmond. Let us help you restore that beautiful smile.
Dr. MitzAnn Alexis-Edmond
Dr. MitzAnn Alexis-Edmond is a compassionate and experienced dentist with over 15 years of expertise. A graduate of Fayetteville State University, where she earned her B.S. in Biology summa cum laude, she went on to receive her DMD from the prestigious University of Pennsylvania. She completed an Advanced General Dentistry Residency at NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn. Dr. Edmond is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry and is dedicated to patient-centered care, ensuring comfort and quality outcomes. Skilled in cosmetic and restorative dentistry, she takes pride in building trust with even the most anxious patients.