Restore Your Smile with Dental Implants

Almost 70% of Americans aged 35-44 have at least one missing tooth and dentists place nearly 5 million dental implants each year as replacements for missing teeth. Dr. Nourhan Mekawy offers dental implant services at MY Dental and Aesthetics in Westbury, New York. She provides comprehensive patient care programs designed to restore your confidence with a beautiful smile.

what is a dental implant

A dental implant is a post screwed into the jawbone to act as an artificial tooth root when replacing one or more missing teeth. It’s the first part of tooth restoration, which is made up of the implant, an abutment, and the artificial tooth or teeth, which can be a crown, denture, or bridge. The implant creates a firm foundation for a replacement tooth. Dr. Mekawy uses them to anchor individual teeth, several teeth, and whole arches (meaning all teeth on the top or the bottom of your mouth). They can support removable dentures, too.

How is an implant placed in my mouth?

Dr. Mekawy has years of experience in placing dental implants. She will take the time to describe each option available to you and recommend the one most appropriate for you. Dental implant surgery takes several stages over several months.

First, Dr. Mekawy places the implant or implants into your jawbone. It takes the bone 3-6 months to heal, so during this time, we will place a temporary crown so you can continue to speak, eat, and maintain your appearance. Once your mouth heals, Dr. Mekawy fits an abutment — the base on which your permanent artificial tooth will sit. She then takes a mold so that the restoration fits the abutment perfectly. Once the new tooth is complete, you return for a final fitting.

IMPLANT SUPPORTED BRIDGES

An implant-supported bridge is a restorative option for replacing several missing teeth in the same area. Instead of relying on nearby natural teeth for support, the bridge is secured by dental implants placed in the jaw. The number of implants needed depends on the patient’s oral health and the size of the restoration. Once complete, the bridge helps restore the appearance and function of the missing teeth.

What are the advantages of an implant supported bridge?

Implant-retained bridges can restore several missing teeth in a row without relying on the surrounding teeth for support. Instead, dental implants are placed in the jaw and used to hold the replacement teeth firmly in position. The finished restoration is created to complement the patient’s natural smile and allow for comfortable everyday function.

With a conventional bridge, the teeth next to the gap are usually reduced in size and covered with crowns to hold the restoration in place. Although this method can close the space, it requires changes to otherwise healthy teeth and may place added stress on them over time.

An implant-supported bridge takes a different approach by securing the restoration directly to implants beneath the gumline. This allows the neighboring teeth to remain largely untouched while creating a strong foundation for the new teeth. The implants also help manage the pressure created during biting and chewing, supporting a durable and stable result.

Implant supported dentures

Patients missing many teeth—or an entire arch—may benefit from dentures that are stabilized by dental implants. Rather than resting only on the gums, the prosthesis is connected to implants placed within the jawbone. The number of implants used depends on the patient’s anatomy and the type of restoration being planned. In many full-arch cases, four or more implants may be recommended, provided there is sufficient healthy bone to support them.

Standard dentures sit over the gum tissue and may shift during meals or conversation. Some patients use adhesive to improve their fit. Implant-retained dentures gain support from the implants beneath them, helping the restoration feel more secure during daily activities. This added stability may also allow for a slimmer design that feels more natural inside the mouth.

Implants can be used to support either partial or complete dentures, and the restoration may be fixed or removable. Fixed implant dentures stay in place during normal use and can only be taken out by a dental professional. Removable versions lock onto the implants but can be detached at home for cleaning, often without relying on denture adhesive.

WHY SHOULD I CONSIDER IMPLANT-SUPPORTED DENTURES OVER TRADTIONAL dentures?

Implant-retained dentures can provide a firmer and more natural-feeling replacement for missing teeth than traditional dentures. Because the restoration connects to implants in the jaw, it is less likely to shift during meals or conversation. Greater stability may also reduce rubbing against the gums, allowing patients to speak, chew, and smile with more confidence.

The implants beneath the denture also act in a way that is similar to natural tooth roots. As biting forces travel through the implants and into the jaw, the bone continues to receive regular stimulation. This may help limit the bone shrinkage that often follows tooth loss and support the facial structure over time.

full arch with 4 to 6 implants

A full-arch implant restoration replaces all missing teeth along the upper or lower jaw. The new set of teeth is secured to four implants placed in the jawbone, creating a strong foundation for everyday biting, chewing, and speaking.