Most adults who are in good overall health and have sufficient jawbone density can be candidates for dental implants. A consultation with us will help determine if implants are right for you.

When having dental implants placed at New York Dental Solutions, you can expect to undergo a minor oral surgery that will require local anesthesia. Our implant surgeon will start by making a small incision in your gums to access your jawbone, then they will drill into the bone to make room for the implant. Once the site is drilled, a titanium post will be placed into the bone where a connector piece, called an abutment, will be screwed into the post.

After having a dental implant placed, you may experience some minor swelling and discomfort for the first few days. You can expect the incision to heal within a few weeks, however it will take approximately 3-4 months before new bone has formed around the implant. In order to ensure that your implant heals properly, your implant surgeon will provide you with guidelines to follow after surgery.

At a glance, these can include:

• Diet: Eat soft foods for the first few months and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot foods and beverages for the first day since they can cause excess bleeding or burns.

• Oral Hygiene: Gently rinse with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon salt in 8 oz. water) 24 hours after surgery, then 4-5 times daily for the first few days. You will also need to continue brushing and flossing as directed by your implant surgeon.

• Medications: Take any antibiotics or pain medications as directed.

• Activity: Rest for the first 2-3 days and start to resume normal activities no sooner than day 3 post op.

Once your implants have healed and the dental prosthetic has been loaded, you will need to care for your implants by practicing good oral hygiene and avoiding excessive biting forces. Daily brushing and flossing help to prevent a destructive bacterial infection called peri-implantitis, while a nightguard can protect your implants against excessive biting forces.