Bone Loss and Facial changes Associated with Tooth Loss

People considering dental implants on Long Island have many considerations. There are a number of options to replace missing teeth on Long Island. These can include fixed and removable bridges as well as dental implants Long Island. One major advantage of dental implants is that they preserve bone. When teeth are lost, the loss of the tooth root results in a lack of stimulation to the bone. The lack of stimulation results in a withering or atrophy of the bone. The video below shows the facial changes that occur when teeth are lost and are not replaced.

People considering Long Island dental implants, or Suffolk County dental implants, or what some people call Long Island tooth root implants are invited to call the premier periodotist on Long Island, Dr. David Scharf at (631)661-6633

Cleaning Dental Implants on Long Island

Dental implants need to be cleaned just like natural teeth.
although some research demonstrates that implants are less likely to get bone loss from plaque, thorough cleaning daily is advised.

Proper cleaning of dental implants involves both brushing and something in between the implants. Either floss, or brushes or toothpicks. If one only flosses and does not clean in between the implants plaque will accumulate where they are not cleaned.

Mouth rinses, while helpful do no replace mechanical oral hygiene.

Profession cleaning of dental implants is also important. the frequency should be anywhere from 3-12 months depending on the individual. Hard calculus can form on the implant surface and this can increase the rate of calculus accumulation. For more information on dental implants on Long Island visit Dr. Scharf on the web.

Long Island Dental Implants versus a Tooth Supported Bridge

Long Island Dental Implant to Replace a Missing Tooth

Replacing a Single Tooth

If you are missing a single tooth, one implant and a crown can replace it. A Long Island dental implant replaces both the lost natural tooth and its root.

What are the advantages of a single-tooth implant over a bridge?
A dental implant provides several advantages over other tooth replacement options. In addition to looking and functioning like a natural tooth, a dental implant replaces a single tooth without sacrificing the health of neighboring teeth. The other common treatment for the loss of a single tooth, a tooth-supported fixed bridge, requires that adjacent teeth be ground down to support the cemented bridge.

Because a dental implant will replace your tooth root, the bone is better preserved. With a bridge, some of the bone that previously surrounded the tooth begins to resorb (deteriorate). Dental implants integrate with your jawbone, helping to keep the bone healthy and intact.

In the long term, a single implant can be more esthetic and easier to keep clean than a bridge. Gums can recede around a bridge, leaving a visible defect when the metal base or collar of the bridge becomes exposed. Resorbed bone beneath the bridge can lead to an unattractive smile. And, the cement holding the bridge in place can wash out, allowing bacteria to decay the teeth that anchor the bridge.

How will the implant be placed?
First, the implant, which looks like a screw or cylinder, is placed into your jaw. Over the next two to six months, the implant and the bone are allowed to bond together to form an anchor for your artificial tooth. During this time, a temporary tooth replacement option can be worn over the implant site.

Often, a second step of the procedure is necessary to uncover the implant and attach an extension. This small metal post, called an abutment, completes the foundation on which your new tooth will be placed. Your gums will be allowed to heal for a couple of weeks following this procedure.

There are some implant systems (one-stage) that do not require this second step. These systems use an implant which already has the extension piece attached. Dr .Scharf will advise you on which system is best for you.

Finally, a replacement tooth called a crown will be created for you by your dentist and attached to the abutment. After a short time, you will experience restored confidence in your smile and your ability to chew and speak. Dental implants are so natural-looking and feeling, you may forget you ever lost a tooth.

What are the options for replacing a missing tooth on Long Island? | Denal Implants Long Island

Options for Replacing a Missing Tooth

When tooth is lost the individual faces many choices. The first choice is should I replace the missing tooth? The second is what is the best way to replace it? In making these decisions there are many factors to consider and research data to be evaluated.

There are three basic ways to replace missing teeth.

These include:

1) Removable partial dentures
2) Tooth supported bridges and
3) Implant supported teeth.

Removable partial dentures have metal clasps that clip onto teeth to hold the device in the mouth. Patients need to take these in and out for cleaning after eating.

Tooth supported bridges rely on the adjacent teeth for support. The teeth next to the missing tooth space are ground down and the bridge is cemented onto them. This bridge does not come in and out and relies on the integrity of the adjacent teeth for support.




Dental implants. The final method of tooth replacement is the dental implant, which is a replacement for the root of a tooth. The implant is placed where the root of the missing tooth used to be. The replacement root is then used to attach a replacement tooth.

Tooth replacement options is continued.

Dental Implant Long Island | Tooth Replacement Options

When tooth is lost the individual faces many choices. The first choice is should I replace the missing tooth? The second is what is the best way to replace it? In making these decisions there are many factors to consider and research data to be evaluated.

There are three basic ways to replace missing teeth.

These include:

1) Removable partial dentures
2) Tooth supported bridges and
3) Implant supported teeth.

Removable partial dentures have metal clasps that clip onto teeth to hold the device in the mouth. Patients need to take these in and out for cleaning after eating.

Tooth supported bridges rely on the adjacent teeth for support. The teeth next to the missing tooth space are ground down and the bridge is cemented onto them. This bridge does not come in and out and relies on the integrity of the adjacent teeth for support.

Dental implants. The final method of tooth replacement is the dental implant, which is a replacement for the root of a tooth. The implant is placed where the root of the missing tooth used to be. The replacement root is then used to attach a replacement tooth.

Should I Replace a Missing Tooth?

There are a number of studies reporting on survival of teeth next to missing tooth spaces. These studies look at the survival of the teeth next to the missing tooth space in cases where the missing tooth is replaced and the missing tooth is not replaced. Studies show that there is a significant loss of adjacent teeth if the missing tooth is not replaced. Tooth replacements with fixed bridges attached to teeth improves the survival of the teeth compared to no replacement.

When removable partial dentures are used to replace missing teeth, the failure of the adjacent teeth is much higher than if there was no replacement, or if the replacement was with a tooth supported bridge. Patients who do not replace missing teeth may experience shifting of teeth, spaces opening between teeth (resulting in food impaction), collapse of the bite, alterations in their chewing ability, TMJ pain, and trauma to the remaining teeth. People sometimes don’t replace teeth that are “in the back” of the mouth because no one sees them. The back teeth are needed to support the bite and grind up food. We can all swallow food that is not chewed thoroughly, but this compromises the nutrition we extract from our diet. When enough back teeth are lost the front teeth can start to flare or become “buck teeth” as they carry forces in excess of what they were designed for.

Let’s look at some of the data from scientific studies that look at replacing missing teeth.

VA Medical Center Longitudinal Study Shugars JADA 1998

19% of adjacent teeth failed if the space was untreated
10% failed if the space was treated with a tooth supported bridge
30% failed if the space was treated with a removable partial denture

Permanente Dental Associates looked at 317 patients who wore tooth supported fixed bridges for an average of 6.7 years and removable partial dentures for an average of 4.2 years. Their findings:

13% of adjacent teeth failed if the space was untreated
7% failed if treated with a tooth supported bridge
17% failed if treated with a removable partial denture

Truman Medical Center, 8.6 years tooth supported bridge and 7 years observation for removable partial dentures

12% of adjacent teeth failed if untreated
7% failed if treated with a tooth supported bridge
22% failed if treated with a removable partial denture

In conclusion, we can see the following:

• There is significant loss of adjacent teeth (ranging from 12%-19%) if the missing tooth is not replaced.
• Tooth supported bridges improve the survival rate, with abutment tooth loss from 7%-10% at 6.7 and 8.6 years.
• Removable partial dentures increase abutment tooth failure rate ranging from 17% to 30% at 4.2 to 7 years.
• There is no significant difference in the statistics of the various studies.

We said earlier that there are three basic ways Here is the rest of the article on Dental Implant Long Island

Long Island Dental Implants Versus Dentures

It is estimated that 22% of Americans will have lost all of their teeth by the age of 65

Maybe you are among those who have resigned themselves to dentures. For years, dentures were the only option. Whether you have lost teeth to gum disease, decay or accident, there is now an alternative to dentures that you should consider. You may replace your teeth with dental implants. As well, implants give you the option of affixing your dentures in a permanent manner.

Why should you consider implants over the customary mouth full of dentures?

* Long Island Dental implants look and feel like your natural teeth.
* Implants don’t slip and slide out of place.
* There is no need to remove your teeth for cleaning. You care for implants Suffolk County in the same manner you would care for your natural teeth.
* You can avoid the discomfort of typical dentures. There is no fear of getting something lodged beneath a denture plate, no painful mouth sores where the dentures rub, and no soreness from the muscles of your cheeks and tongue having to adjust to keep your dentures in place.
* Implants Long Island won’t change your speech patterns as they will not move in your mouth as you speak.
* With implants, you will feel free to smile with confidence.

What type of specialist do I have to see for implants?

Many different types of dentists place dental implants. A Periodontist is an excellent choice for dental implant placement. They have a wide range of training in the areas of surgery and prosthetics, and their ability to manage the gum tissue is second to none. BE CAREFUL who places your implants. Lots of general dentists are taking weekend courses and start “practicing” on their patients Monday morning.


With the increase in patient demand for dental implants, there are plenty of options in materials, as well. A dentist will be able to evaluate your needs and determine the best type of implant for your situation.

Is the procedure more involved for implants than for dentures?
The process of getting implants might be slightly more involved for implants than for dentures. It does involve surgery. For most patients, however, that surgery can be done under local anesthetic right from the chair in the dentist’s office. Many denture wearers also find themselves having to undergo surgery prior to being able to wear dentures. Tooth extractions and bone grafting might be necessary in either case, depending on the current state of your oral health.

The number one advantage to implants is that they are a near-permanent solution to tooth loss. Most patients can expect to have their implants for life. Continued gum and bone deterioration often make it necessary to replace dentures in subsequent years and the comfort level for denture wearers is never as high as for those who have implants. Patients comment that it’s “just like having teeth again.”
If you do have remaining healthy teeth, implants give you the option of leaving those teeth and only replacing those that are missing. The gum and bone will not wear away with implants the way it continues to do with dentures. This is why dentures are a continual source of frustration for many wearers. The perfect fit, if you get close at all, is not likely to last more than a couple of years as the underlying structure of bone continues to degenerate when teeth are removed.

Sounds good, but it is affordable?

Those who have received dental inplants Long Island agree that the initial cost for implants, which is higher than for dentures, is well worth it. Aside from the comfort and confidence you will receive from having teeth that look and feel naturally yours, you will not have the continued expense of messy adhesives and cleaning products that come with dentures. As well, most dentures have to be replaced one or more times because of changes in gums and bone density. Many wearers have to go through several pair just to get a good initial fit. Of course, we’ve all heard the stories of dentures being lost or inadvertently thrown out, a worry you won’t have with dental implants. Find an experienced dentist who specializes in dental implants and you can avoid the excessive fees you might otherwise pay.

In short, dentures will continue to cost you, in more ways than one, for years to come. Suffolk County Implants are expected to last a lifetime. Visit Dental Implants Suffolk County for more great information

Dental Implant Long Island | Dental Implants Suffolk County

What is the difference between a tooth supported bridge and a tooth replaced by Long Island Dental Implants. Here is the recipe for success.