Dental Implants
For a Beautiful Smile That Works Like New
Made to look and function like your natural teeth, dental implants are a popular alternative to bridges and dentures. They’re surgically attached to your jawbone for a snug fit, so they’ll stay in place when you’re talking and eating.
Dr. Kevin Poupore is a skilled implant provider for patients in and around Malone, NY, including Potsdam, Massena, Chateaugay, Norwood, Norfolk, and Akwesasne. We have solutions for tooth loss so you can look and feel your best.
Dental Implant:
Questions & Answers
What Are Dental Implants
Dental implants are strong, medical-grade metal posts that are surgically attached to the patient’s jawbone, acting as an artificial tooth root to support a single prosthetic tooth (or crown).
If you’re looking to restore a full arch of missing teeth, dental implants can also be used to support a full denture, providing outstanding comfort and chewing power.
Because they’re connected to the bone, implants are very secure and they feel more comfortable and natural than dentures or bridges. Plus, the implant post helps stimulate bone tissue production, counteracting the bone atrophy that occurs after tooth loss. This will help prevent additional tooth loss in the future.
What happens during the implant procedure?
It typically takes three visits for Dr. Poupore to restore your missing tooth with a dental implant. During the first visit, the post is surgically implanted into the jawbone. Once the post is in place, it’s left alone for several weeks to allow it to fuse with the natural bone tissue.
At your second appointment, a piece called the abutment is attached to the post. Then we take an impression of your smile and send this information to our dental lab so they can make your attractive porcelain crown.
At your third visit, the crown is attached to the abutment and then it’s gently buffed to bring out the shine. Your new tooth will look natural and feel really good.
What is bone grafting?
If the bone around the empty socket is too thin or not strong enough to support an implant, Dr. Poupore can perform a bone graft procedure before we begin the implant process. This is achieved by attaching a small piece of bone tissue to the patient’s jawbone.
Bone grafting is one of the supplemental treatments Dr. Poupore provides to make dental implants available to more of our patients.
What are mini implants?
Mini implants use posts that have a smaller diameter compared to traditional implant posts, enabling them to be used in areas where a regular implant may not be appropriate or possible.
Mini implants can support a single crown, but more commonly, they’re used to secure an upper or lower denture. The additional stability you get with mini dental implants makes chewing much easier and more enjoyable.
How long do dental implants last?
When given proper care, a dental implant can last as long as a natural tooth.
Are implants hard to care for?
No. You care for an implant the same way you protect your natural teeth, with daily brushing and flossing and regular checkups from Dr. Poupore.
Practicing effective oral hygiene will keep the gums that support your implant healthy and strong. As with natural teeth, it’s important to avoid chewing on ice or hard candy to prevent chips or fractures in the crown itself and to keep the post firmly attached.