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

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!

Why Dental Implant Timelines Are Important

If you’re missing the teeth you wish you had, one solution is the placement of one or several dental implants.

Accomplished over several appointments your missing tooth will be replaced with a dental restoration that simulates and acts like your original tooth.  Over a short period of time you will have a new functioning tooth.

The first step is a consultation to see if a dental implant is right for you.  We will examine your mouth and take x-rays to see if you are a candidate for a dental implant.  Sometimes you may not have enough bone to support the implant and an additional procedure to increase your bone level will be needed.

Dental Implant Upper East Side

The next step is actually placing the implant.  A piece of titanium will be placed into your jaw.  The procedure sounds difficult and painful but it is not.  Generally less than one hour will be necessary to place the implant using local anesthetics.  Over the counter pain medications are sufficient  for any discomfort you experience and you will be able to return to work the following day.

It takes some time for the implant to become attached to your jaw.  During this period there will still be a space remaining where your tooth was missing.  If this is objectionable we can create a removable temporary restoration for you to wear during this period.

The final step occurs several months later where we prepare your implant to receive a crown.

Patients are generally very happy with the end result.

Looking for Dental Implants in the Upper East Side?

Call us today at 212 517 9000 to see if this is right for you.