5 Things to Know Before Getting a Dental Implant

Missing teeth can affect your confidence, your speech, and how you chew. At 88 Smile Designs, we help patients restore their smiles and reclaim their quality of life. Edly Destine, DDS, provides personalized dental implants right here in Mount Vernon, New York. 

If you're considering this life-changing procedure, it's important to understand what the process involves. Here are five essential things you should know before getting started.

How do dental implants work and what is the timeline?

Dental implants are permanent replacements for missing teeth that fuse directly with your jawbone to function like natural teeth.

Osseointegration is the key to stability 

An implant works because of a biological process called osseointegration. This is when your jawbone physically grows into and bonds with the titanium post. This process creates a secure, rock-solid foundation for a custom crown.

Surgical timing varies based on your needs 

Depending on your oral health, we can sometimes place an implant immediately after extracting a tooth. This helps preserve your natural jaw structure and accelerates your recovery. 

In other cases, we let the area heal for a few months first to ensure a stable foundation.

What factors affect your dental implant success?

Your lifestyle habits, systemic health, and jawbone structure play key roles in how well your dental implant heals.

Smoking significantly increases the risk of failure

Nicotine constricts blood vessels and limits oxygen delivery to your healing bone. A comprehensive review found that smoking doubles the risk of early implant failure. If you smoke, we'll work with you on a cessation plan before your surgery.

Bone density matters, but we can rebuild it

If you have experienced bone loss from missing teeth, you might think you can't get an implant. But we may be able to use guided bone regeneration to rebuild your jawbone. This advanced grafting technique achieves an outstanding 97.83% success rate.

How do you care for dental implants long-term?

Caring for a dental implant requires the same meticulous daily hygiene and professional maintenance as your natural teeth.

Implants aren't maintenance-free 

While titanium cannot get cavities, the surrounding gums and bone are still vulnerable to infection. Regular cleanings and gum disease treatment are essential to prevent this from turning into bone loss.

Are you ready to reclaim your smile? Our team at 88 Smile Designs is here to guide you through every step of your implant journey. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Destine in Mount Vernon, New York, today to find out if you're a candidate.