LI Dental Group, LLP

Implant Dentist in Garden City

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are the closest you can get to healthy, natural teeth. They allow you to live the way you want to confidently eat, smile, laugh, talk, kiss and enjoying all of your everyday activities without worrying about your teeth.

Our doctors provide simple and easy options for dental implants. Each patient is unique and require customized treatment plans to fit their mouth and needs.

Prosthodontist in Garden City

Think of dental implants as artificial tooth roots, similar in shape to screws. When dental implants are placed in your jawbone (A), they bond with your natural bone. They become a sturdy base for supporting one or more artificial teeth, called crowns.

A connector – known as an abutment (B) – is placed on top of the dental implant to hold and support your crowns. The crowns are custom-made to match your natural teeth and fit your mouth (C).

Modern dental implants have been used successfully for over 40 years. They are the strongest devices available to support replacement teeth – and even better, they allow these new teeth to feel, look and function naturally.

When performed by a trained and experienced dental implant dentist, dental implant surgery is one of the safest and most predictable procedures in dentistry.

Five facts about dental implants:

  • Ancient dental implants have been traced back to around 600 AD, when tooth-like pieces of shell were hammered into the jaw of a Mayan woman.
  • Dental implants are the only dental restoration option that preserves natural bone, actually helping to stimulate bone growth.
  • Dental implants are made out of titanium which is similar to the metal that is used for hip or knee replacements.
  • In 1952, a Swedish orthopedic surgeon P.I. Branemark discovered that titanium naturally fuses with bone, eventually switching his research focus to the mouth from the knee and hip.
  • 4 million people in the United States have implants, a number that is growing by 600,000 annually.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best method of replacing missing teeth? Are dental implants worth it?

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If you've lost a tooth due to injury, decay, gum disease, or any other reason, we recommend dental implants to replace missing teeth. Dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth.

Are dental implants painful?

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Dental implants are placed into the jawbone and mirror the same function as the root of a tooth. The procedure for dental implants is usually performed while a patient is sedated. Patients who undergo IV sedation must have an empty stomach and transportation home following the procedure. Most sedation patients will have little to no memory of the procedure occurring.

What are dental implants made of?

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Generally, dental implants are made out of a biocompatible metal such as titanium. Biocompatible metals are also used for other common bone implants (such as shoulder, hip, and knee replacements). The visible portion of the implant is usually made out of porcelain and is custom-made to match your existing teeth.

Are dental implants permanent?

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Dental implants are designed to fuse to the bone, which makes them become permanent fixtures. Typically speaking, the success rate is nearly 100%. There are few cases in which the implant will not fuse as intended and must be removed. If this happens to occur, the procedure can be attempted again a few months later.

Are dental implants expensive?

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Dental implants are not usually covered by dental insurance, but may be covered under a patient's medical insurance. Our office and your insurance company can discuss coverage options with you based on your individual case and treatment plan.

How do I care for my dental implants?

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It's easy... just take care of an implant as if it's a natural tooth! This involves regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups. If you have any concerns about your implant, contact us immediately.