Missing teeth is simply one of those unpleasant factors the majority of Americans have to face at one point or another in their lives whether it’s a result from an injury or disease. Interestingly many patients will readily accept an extraction but few go on to discuss replacement options for the long-term health of their remaining teeth.

This could be in part to a limited awareness of the negative impact a missing tooth can have on the adjacent teeth. This might include adjacent teeth shifting in their position impacting the overall bite and alignment.  Additionally adjacent teeth could be at a higher risk for decay. Three recent studies evaluated the end result of how a missing tooth was handled. Not so surprisingly these studies point towards dental implants Long Island as your best replacement option.

What the Studies Reveal on Adjacent Tooth Survival

Three studies were conducted by the VA Medical Center, Permanente Dental Associates, and Truman Medical Center their findings appear to support one another and looked at the survivor rate of remaining teeth when one of three replacement options were used; removable partial denture, tooth supported bridges and leaving the space untreated.

All three studies found that the lowest fail rate at 7% – 10% occurred when the missing tooth was replaced using a tooth supported bridge where the bridge is typically cemented to the adjacent teeth.  Surprisingly using removable partial dentures held the highest fail rate at 17 to 30% possibly because these teeth need to be completely removed to be cleaned properly.

For those who opted to leave the space untreated it was discovered that fail rate occurred was only 12% – 19, lower than removable dentures. This option is more readily selected when individuals are missing back teeth that are not visible when they talk or laugh.

Choosing Dental Implants For Replacement

So what does that leave for dental implants? Although these studies didn’t look specifically at implants and survival rate of adjacent teeth other studies have. Implant are used different, relying on their own support. First a titanium root is secured directly in the jawbone, making a stronger, more natural anchor for the replacement tooth. Second the space is filled with the replacement tooth secured to the anchor. None of the adjacent teeth are involved, avoiding any damage that may result from attaching clasps and cement.

If you’re interested in learning more about dental implants Long Island contact Dr. Scharf. He’s a Periodontist who specializes in gum disease and implant dentistry. Trust your oral care to one of the best Periodontists on Long Island. Call today (631) 661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com.

Since losing one of your teeth you’ve heard countless times how important it is to consider replacement options right away. You know that the longer the gap remains the more likely your adjacent teeth are going to shift effecting your tooth alignment and how you bite down on foods. Still, you’re just not ready to deal with bridges and false teeth.

The good news you don’t have to. With advances in modern dentistry you have an option that more closely resembles your natural teeth and more effectively preserves your natural smile simply by choosing dental implants on Long Island.

It’s true that bridges have traditionally been used for replacing a single tooth. In fact many dental practitioners will still offer this as your first choice. What they don’t share is the risks involved with your remaining teeth when accepting bridges whether they are permanent or removable.

Typically the adjacent teeth need to be filed down to fit the braces used to secure bridges in place. This process alone breaks down the tooth’s natural ability to fight off cavities. Permanent bridges use a glue adhesive the can easily strip away your tooth’s enamel leaving it vulnerable to decay.

Dental Implants Are the Better Option

When using dental implants as your replacement option you eliminate the risk of decay to adjacent teeth because they don’t need to be secured using brackets or glue. Instead implants are surgically placed directly in the jawbone where they become a natural part of your mouth. In addition to preserving adjacent teeth implants have the added benefit of preserving the bone and soft tissue of your jaw as well.

The process isn’t as scary as you may think and can usually be completed in just a couple visits with your Periodontist. The first visit your implant will be placed in the jaw where you are missing the tooth. Then you’ll need to allow a few weeks for healing before coming back to receive your crown, the piece that looks and feels like your natural teeth.

Still another added perk to using implants instead of bridges is the ease of adjusting to them. You don’t have to worry about what you eat or how to clean them. Instead your new implant functions just like your natural tooth and require only the same care you give the rest of your mouth.

So what are you waiting for? When you’re ready to replace that missing tooth with a dental implant on Long Island give Dr. Scharf a call. You can reach him at (631) 661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com for more information on how to get started today.

Have you ever just stood there staring back at your reflection in the mirror wondering if there was any possible way you could get your smile back to beautiful? With advancements in cosmetic dentistry on Long Island that very thought could become your reality!

It doesn’t matter if your missing a single tooth, multiple teeth or if your teeth are in bad shape. You definitely have options available to you that will help you keep a naturally beautiful smile for a lifetime. Taking advantage of dental implants is your way out of ugly teeth and bulky dentures.

The procedure is typically completed in two stages:

1. Your Periodontist will drill a hole in your jawbone and place a pure titanium implant in the opening to be used as an anchor.
2. Then, after healing is complete your Periodontist will secure a crown to the implant previously inserted into your jawbone.

 Get That Much Deserved Smile In As Little As 3 Months

Securing the titanium implant is a relatively simple procedure. It take approximately 8 weeks for the healing process to complete. During this time your natural bone is actually bonding to the titanium root, forming a permanent, more natural anchor for the replacement tooth.

During stage two this permanent anchor becomes the new home of your permanent tooth replacement. Once the crown is secured in place you’ll be able to continue enjoying your normal lifestyle and favorite foods. You new implants will be matched so closely to your natural teeth that no one will be able to tell they’re not yours.

If you’re ready to explore what cosmetic dentistry on Long Island can do for you contact Dr. Scharf, a Periodontist trained in advanced implant dentistry. Call today at (631) 661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com.

Having a natural, beautiful smile is at the top of every American’s list. From teeth straightening to teeth whitening we do whatever we can to display attractive pearly whites. When disease or injury compromises that smile you may need to consider dental implants if you want to maintain that natural smile.

I know you’ve heard all the talk surrounding implants, and likely a lot of it doesn’t have you eager to let your dental practitioner start cutting on your gums. Besides, loosing your teeth is bad enough why not just get dentures right? While dentures may seem like a quick and simple fix they may not be that perfect smile you are looking for.

So what makes dental implants better?

Implants are secured in your mouth using titanium implants that are surgically placed in the jawbone. After the area has healed they are as solid as your natural tooth root. A crown is later placed on the implant that looks and feels like a natural tooth. You don’t have to worry about it slipping loose when you laugh or changing what you eat.

On the other side of the coin dentures need to be held in place using glues or gels, and even then it’s not the best hold when you want to enjoy a fresh apple or corn on the cob. They tend to wiggle, slip and pop around when you least expect them, making your perfect smile a real headache!

While going through a surgical procedure may seem extreme there are obvious benefits for investing your time including:

• A permanent solution for tooth replacement designed to last the rest of your life
• Implants look, feel and function just like your natural teeth
• Oral care remains the same as when you had natural teeth
• There are no messy adhesives to deal with
• Nobody will notice you have false teeth unless you tell them

When you’re ready to take the next step and choose a more naturally looking dental implants instead of dentures on Long Island contact Dr. Scharf for your oral evaluation. You can reach him at 631-661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com.

If you’ve been contemplating whether or not you’re ready for a dental implant Long Island but haven’t completely set your mind to yes perhaps it will help to know exactly what dental implants are, when they began and how effective they are.

Implant dentistry is not as new in dental practice as many patients may think. In fact, the first attempts as using an implant to securely replace missing teeth can be dated back 1700’s when teeth would be replaced using teeth from human donors. Because the replacement teeth being used came from actual human donors the tooth replacement was usually unsuccessful because of the immune systems response to foreign material.

Moving forward in time during the 1800’s practitioners began to experiment around with various metals such as gold and platinum in an attempt to create suitable replacements. Unfortunately this effort was met with little long-term success in patients willing to give it a try and left dental practitioners in need of finding an alternative with more success.

It wasn’t until 1952 that the first dentist discovered quite by accident that titanium could bond irreversibly with living bone tissue. This discovery opened a whole new door for implant dentistry and leads the way to modern implants you find today.

Why Dental Implants Are the Preferred Choice for Tooth Replacement

Since the 1980’s implant dentistry quickly became the preferred method for tooth replacement. One of the biggest reasons for its growing popularity is readily explained in how the implant actually serves in your jawbone in the same way your natural tooth root does, leaving your smile as close to natural as possible.

In addition to appearing natural in your smile implants reduce bone deterioration, allows you to continue eating your normal foods and require no additional care than dentures. With benefits like these it only makes sense to choose implants over other types of tooth replacement from now on!

If you’re ready to discuss getting dental implant Long Island and would like to speak directly with a dental implant surgeon call Dr. Scharf at 631-661-6633 or visit him on the web at http://drscharf.com. Dr. Scharf is skilled in implant dentistry and can assist you in evaluating your needs today.

You’ve just been informed that your root canal didn’t take and your tooth needs to be removed. Your first thought, “what about my smile?” Your second thought, “is there any way I can replace that tooth?” You listen intently as the dentist discusses the procedures to come and options for care after the tooth is removed. One thought stands out in your mind: Long Island Dental Implants. What affect will this have on your mouth and where will you find an implant dentist on Long Island?

Long Island dental implants are completed under the care of a Periodontist, a dental specialist in the area of diagnosing, preventing and treating gum disease. Dr. Scharf is the premier Implant Dentist on Long Island. The procedure previously involved a heavy focus on the patient’s bone and gum tissue surrounding the implant in an effort to minimize change in the host tissue however recent studies have changed how practitioners view mean bone changes around the implant.

The Journal of Periodontology recently published a study that showed little mean bone change in the five years following the implant, further supporting dental implants as a viable tooth replacement option. The study was conducted at the Texas Health Center at San Antonio evaluating 596 implants placed in 192 patients. The study confirms that patients with adequate oral hygiene and bone volume would experience minimal change in the bone tissue surrounding the implant. In fact the majority of the bone remodeling occurs between the initial implant placement and the final prosthesis placement.

Evaluating an Implant Dentist on Long Island

Pairing up with a skilled Periodontist who understands not only the procedure itself, but also the healing process that occurs immediately following your dental implant and long-term care is vital to a pleasant experience. You want to entrust your oral health to a practitioner that will monitor your new implant as well as focus on other areas of the mouth during your visits.

When evaluating an implant dentist on Long Island look for Periodontists who specialize in dental implants. Prior to calling them, prepare any questions you have about the procedure, including care after the implant is placed and don’t shy away from asking them if they are familiar with the most recent study supporting minimal changes in the five years following your procedure. Some questions you may want to ask include:

1. Am I a good candidate for a successful implant?
2. What criteria do you use to make that determination?
3. How much experience do you have with dental implants?
4. Have you read the recent study on changes to the tissue surrounding the implants?
5. How has it changed your views on post procedure care?

It’s your mouth. You should expect nothing less than the best. If you’re looking for Long Island dental implants Dr. David Scharf, a Periodontist who specializes in Dental Implants, is available to answer your questions by visiting him on the web at or call (631) 661-6633.