Dental Implants in Buffalo, NY

Todd Shatkin, DDS, has over 30 years of experience providing affordable dental implants to patients in Buffalo, Amherst, Williamsville, Clarence, Western New York, and beyond, including international clients. Schedule your free consultation at Aesthetic Associates Centre today and discover if dental implants are the solution for you.

If you’re missing a tooth or have decayed or broken teeth that need to be removed, traditional options include bridges, crowns, or dentures to restore your smile. However, dental implants now offer a more permanent solution. They provide a natural-looking and long-lasting solution to tooth loss while helping to maintain your jaw structure and smile.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are permanent dental appliances used to replace a single missing tooth or multiple teeth. They consist of three main parts. The first part is a titanium screw. This component is surgically implanted into the jawbone and integrates with the bone tissue over time. Once the screw and bone fuse and heal, the second part, or abutment, is connected to the screw. The third piece, a natural tooth-like crown made to match your other teeth, is attached to the abutment.

When multiple teeth are missing, dentures used to be the standard option. Now, with as few as four titanium posts, dental implants can replace a full set of teeth permanently. Unlike crowns or dentures, which may need replacement or can shift in your mouth, dental implants provide a stable solution that can last for years and years.

When Should I Consider a Dental Implant?

Dental implants are an option for any adult looking to replace a missing or severely damaged tooth or a full set of teeth. While they can be an option for teenagers, they are not recommended until full facial growth and development is complete.

When Is a Conventional Implant Not Recommended?

While dental implants are a safe and effective solution for replacing missing teeth, they aren’t suitable for everyone. For example, implants are not recommended for young children, as their jaw and dental structures are still developing. Inadequate bone density in the jaw or severe periodontal disease can also be limiting factors for conventional dental implants. Successful implants depend on the titanium screw healing and fusing with the bone. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or osteoporosis, as well as smoking, can interfere with this process, reducing the chances of success. In such cases, we may advise against traditional implants or recommend minimally invasive mini dental implants.

What Happens During a Dental Implant Procedure?

The first step is to schedule a free consultation with our team. At this appointment, we’ll take advanced 3D images using our state-of-the-art CBCT machine. This technology captures detailed photos of your jaw, allowing us to evaluate your jaw health and its ability to support an implant.

If you’re a good candidate, we’ll schedule your procedure and discuss anesthesia and sedation. If necessary, we will remove a broken or damaged tooth prior to placing the implant.

On the day of surgery, once you’re comfortably numb and relaxed, a small incision is made in the gum to expose the jawbone. A hole is drilled into the bone, and the titanium screw is put into place. At this point, this part of the procedure is complete, and you are sent home to heal. The healing process can take several months. Once your tissues have healed and the screw has fused to the bone, your abutment and crown can be attached.

Are There Any Risks With Dental Implants?

As with any dental procedure, you may experience some facial swelling, gum irritation, bruising of the face and gums, minor bleeding, and pain after the dental implant procedure. You may be prescribed pain medications to help. In addition, you may receive a prescription for antibiotics to combat any potential infection. Other minor risks that can occur include minor nerve damage, blood vessel damage, and possible sinus complications with upper dental implants.

Dental Implants and Bone Loss

Earlier, we mentioned bone loss as a possible factor limiting the possibility of dental implants. If your dentist determines that your current jawbone will not support a dental implant, there are still options! Currently, three different techniques are typically used to prepare the jaw for conventional implants: bone augmentation, ridge expansion, and a sinus lift. These techniques work to build and better stabilize the jawbone, allowing it to accommodate the implant.

However, Dr. Shatkin specializes in mini dental implants, also known as narrow-diameter implants. While slimmer in diameter than traditional implants, they are equally effective and come at approximately half the cost of a traditional implant procedure. This cost reduction is due to their simplicity, minimally invasive nature, and ease of placement.

Mini dental implants typically do not require bone grafting or flap surgery into your gums. We secure them in the jaw by making a small pilot hole through the gums and then screwing the implant into the bone tissue. Thanks to their narrow diameter, they are ideal for patients with minimal bone available and are often used with patients who were previously told they were not good candidates for large traditional implants.

Like traditional implants, mini implants can help prevent further bone loss. As you age, lose teeth, or experience certain medical conditions, bone deterioration may occur. This is especially common, for example, in patients who have lost all their teeth and wear traditional dentures. Without teeth, the jawbone shrinks due to a lack of stimulation from the roots. Since implants act as artificial tooth roots embedded in the bone, they provide this needed stimulation. This helps preserve your jaw structure and promotes long-term bone health.

Why Choose Implants Over Other Options?

Unlike dentures and bridges that must be replaced every few years, dental implants offer a more permanent solution. In addition, the fusion of the implants with the jawbone helps you maintain your natural bone structure and promotes long-term bone health.

If you would like to see how dental implants can enhance your smile and improve your life, call our office today to set up a free initial consultation!

If you would like to learn more about how implants can help boost your confidence and function and give you the smile of your dreams, contact Todd Shatkin DDS at the Aesthetic Associates Centre to arrange your free consultation.

Let his 30+ years of experience in cosmetic dentistry work for you! Proudly serving patients in Amherst, Williamsville, Clarence, Buffalo, Western New York, the United States and Internationally.