Dental Implants- What To Do If You Lose a Tooth and You Miss It

/ Glenn Reit D.D.S./

Only a dentist can love a tooth but most individuals love their smile. Sometimes due to trauma or failure of a dental restoration a tooth will need to be removed. Unfortunately teeth are unable to repair themselves when injured. A minor incident can lead to a filling or if a filling fails to a crown. Now you’re royalty. I wonder how many crowns Queen Elizabeth has? Dental crowns, that is. Sometimes the nerve in your tooth decides to check out. In that case a root canal may be needed. But, even root canals can fail and if that happens and the tooth is lost you may want a replacement. Back in the day if you lost a tooth you had three options: Do nothing, replace it with a tooth permanently connected to your adjacent teeth or with a tooth you could take in and out of your mouth. Today, if you lose a tooth we can replace it with one that is most like your original tooth and not compromise any of your existing teeth. This is accomplished by placing a dental implant. A dental implant is a biocompatible piece of titanium which looks like you own dental tooth’s root. It is placed into your jaw basically right into the hole where your original tooth resided. Several months later the bone of your jaw will grow into the implant allowing the piece of titanium to become part of your jaw. At this point a crown can be placed on the implant which resembles your own original tooth. Since the implant mimics your own tooth in appearance and function you will believe it is your own. The implant surgery is done right here in the office. you will be able to function normally the next morning. Since the treatment is spread out over several months, so is the cost. Dental insurance companies will cover this procedure if the tooth involved was taken out while the insurance policy is in effect. For those with flexible spending plans this is a qualified expenditure. Even if you lost your tooth several years ago we may still be able to replace it with an implant with an additional procedure done at the time of implant placement. Realize when you lose a tooth you begin losing bone which supports the tooth. The loss of bone can lead to a dimple expression on your face. Most adults are not into the Shirley Temple look. If this situation sounds like you or if you have friends or loved ones who have that gap tooth look come on in for a consultation to see if this is a solution for them or you.

At the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit DDS located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets we care about you and your teeth.  With decades of experience we’ve seen it all.  Our vision is to educate you about your dental health, give you alternatives for any treatment you may need and discuss what it will cost before we begin so you may make an educated decision on how to proceed.

We want to instill confidence and create a bond with you while performing your dentistry in a stress free environment.  We realize going to the dentist is not on most people’s top ten list so our goal is to give you more in service value than what you pay for your dentistry.

Call us today at 212 517 9000.  You and your teeth will be glad you 

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you!

Missing a tooth?

/ Glenn Reit D.D.S./

This used to be the tagline for the Gap stores but it could pertain to your mouth if you are missing a tooth.  They say only a dentist loves a tooth but most people are happy to have teeth especially if they enjoy eating.  Hard to chew many types of food without teeth but patients have told me they can eat a well done steak without any teeth – not a pretty sight to be sure.

No one loses all their teeth at once unless involved in a traumatic accident.  People lose teeth one at a time generally due to support issues where their gums become infected and over time the patient loses bone which holds the tooth in their jaw.

Since teeth are generally lost one at a time what is one to do if they lose a tooth?  The most logical step would be to go to see a dentist to discover the cause of the loss and then to treat the underlying causes to prevent the situation from progressing or happening again.

But what are my options if I have a missing tooth?  The first question to answer is do you miss that tooth?. If not you’re done you just go without the tooth.  However, if you miss the tooth for cosmetic or functional reasons you have choices.

You could place an implant which is a small piece of titanium which is in the form of a tooth root that is surgically placed within your jaw and a short time later a crown made of porcelain is attached and bingo you have a new cosmetic looking and functional tooth.

Or you could attach the missing tooth to the two adjacent teeth and have a bridge.  Think of the George Washington Bridge spanning New York to New Jersey.  Your dental bridge will span the space of the missing tooth and presto you have replaced your missing tooth.

The downside to dental bridges is you are involving adjacent teeth which are not part of the problem.  Another alternative is to fabricate a removable prosthesis which will replace the missing tooth and is the most cost effective way to replace the missing tooth.  However this is a plastic tooth so it serves a purpose but is not a great alternative

At the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit DDS located on The Upper East Side in Yorkville at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets we always like meeting new people and taking care of their dental needs.  If you are missing a tooth or just need a cleaning give us a call at 212 517 9000.

You and your teeth will be glad you did.

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you!

Ditch Your Dentures for Dental Implants

/ Glenn Reit D.D.S./

If You're Wearing Full Dentures and are Miserable
Then it’s time to ditch them and enter the 21st Century!

Fortunately, today most people have most of their teeth but there are others who for various reasons have said goodbye to their teeth.  Having no teeth is not fun.  Teeth make you look better and are valuable if you enjoy eating.  Teeth serve their purpose of breaking up food stuff you eat so that your body can break down the nutrients contained to keep your body going.

If you no longer have any teeth in the past your only option was to have plastic ones made and then use glue to keep them attached to the inside of your mouth.  The teeth are still plastic or porcelain but now with the advent of dental implants these teeth can be secured to your jaws where you will be able to eat an apple or corn on the cob comfortably.

Obviously, you need to come in and be evaluated to see if you are a candidate for these types of procedures but for most we can accommodate you.  Yes, there is an expense here but if you have been miserable and no longer enjoy eating due to the movement of your false teeth this is something for you to consider.

At the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit we have been involved with these procedures for some time.   Undergoing these treatments is a lifestyle change and although dental insurance plans will not have the funds available to cover the procedures this is a very worthy investment in your health and life.

So give us a call at 212 517 9000 and we are always happy to meet new people.

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you!