Dental implants are not just an accessory or cosmetic procedure (although insurance companies will tell you otherwise, as you’ll read below). Good health starts in the mouth, and proper biting and chewing sets the scene for how much and what kind of bacteria inhabits your mouth, the time and quality it takes your stomach to digest food, and the bone support or loss that can affect the shape of your face.

We’re serious about implants, and beyond our office shamelessly plugging our abilities to help you finance your dental implant procedure, Dr. Abitbol and the rest of the team want you to experience a complete and all-encompassing dental treatment. Without further ado, our Brooklyn dentists is happy to unveil some of the most common questions patients ask our staff about dental implants!

• What is a dental implant?

  A dental implant has three main parts:

  – The fixture, or “screw” that becomes part of your jaw
  – The abutment or cap that goes on top of the fixture
  – The prosthesis or “crown” or “tooth” that everyone sees when you smile

  These features combined make up one dental implant. However, there are other type of dental implants called All-on-4 or 6 that cover multiple spaces in your mouth if entire sections need to be replaced; in this case, only four or six fixtures or screws will be needed rather than one for each crown or tooth.

• How long do dental implants last?

  This is an important question, especially as the cost of having dental implants installed is substantial. Luckily reputable dental laboratories have guarantees with your dentist that cover the physical hardware for several years, and because implants are made out of the strongest and most biologically friendly materials in the consumer market, your investment should be protected.

  When asking how long an implant can last, we have to separate the three parts of the implant into two sections: the screw and cap, and then the tooth. The screw and cap can last your entire life, which is great news since any further surgery will not be necessary. However, the tooth can last 15 years or longer, with teeth in the back requiring replacements sooner than front-facing crowns because of the pressure of chewing and biting.

  Regular dental checkups and healthy lifestyles can extend the life of your crowns and implants, but the main takeaway is the following: replacing your implant’s tooth will be cheaper since it does not require a repeat surgery or new screw or cap.

• Are dental implants covered by insurance?

  Not really, and rather than including dental implants in coverage, many companies will include alternatives including dentures and partials in their stead. Even if an insurance company does cover implants, the maximum annual policy generally pays for only 25% or less for the procedure.

  Your next question might then be, “Does medical insurance cover dental implants?” For features relating to surgery, including the bone grafting needed sometimes in order for the screw to have something to hold on to, then yes, coverage for this particular procedure is starting to be covered under medical, but it is not generally adopted in a widespread manner. In terms of the implants themselves, no, dental implants are not covered by medical insurance.

  As we wrote above, Smile By Design is passionate about the positive health effects dental implants will have on your body, and although we are not able to change the insurance industry, we can make them as accessible as possible for you and your family. We have several options for you to finance implants, and the money you’ll save in the long run by having the healthiest mouth possible is worth it.

• Can dental implants decay?

  The crown or tooth of an implant can be broken down over years of chewing, biting, chomping, and other actions that put force on it. In this case, the tooth will need to be replaced in healthy patients every 15 years or longer. However, in terms of biological decay, no, this is impossible for the implant since it is made of non-bio materials. However, the gum around your dental implant can decay or recede if not brushed, flossed, and taken care of appropriately.

• Can dental implants fall out?

  Again, the implant must be divided into two sections: the screw and cap, and then the tooth. Yes, the tooth can fall out if the crown needs to be recemented. However, before popping out, you will know if your dental implant is loose, and actions like flossing can cause it to separate from the cap and screw. Luckily reattaching the tooth to the abutment (or cap) takes 15 minutes or less without any surgery at your dental office.

  However, can the screw and cap of an implant fall out? If the cap does, then it needs to be reattached fairly simply enough, but the screw separating from the jaw of your bone would require more serious medical intervention. In this case new bone would either need to be grafted or an additional surgery to place the screw in a 45 degree angle into traditionally healthier bone.

• Can dental implants be whitened?

  No, your dental implants cannot be whitened. In fact, if you are getting implants but also want to whiten your teeth, choose to go through the correct whitening process with a dentist first before undergoing measurements for an implant.

• Can dental implants change the shape of my face?

  Having dental implants can stimulate the bone in your jaw and prevent something called ‘resorption’ which can cause a sunken facial appearance. With no tooth present, surrounding bone will begin to disappear as your body adjusts for what seems to be a completely useless place to have precious bone material. Properly measured and placed implants can stop the rate of resorption as you age and prevent your face from morphing.

• Can dental implants be done in one day?

  Implants can be installed in one day through a process called ‘immediate load.’ Before receiving the surgery, a dentist will have to measure existing bone quantities left in the missing-tooth area to make sure you are a good candidate to receive one-day implants.

• Can I get an implant without a bone graft?

  For patients desiring to replace multiple teeth without a bone graft, the All-on-4 or 6 method is one way to do so. Implants are placed at a 45-degree angle rather than the usual 90 degree angle, but this depends on what type of bone density is present at this alternative direction. Patients who have multiple teeth that need to be replaced benefit the most from this operation as it only requires a range of four to six implants to replace an entire row of teeth.

• Will dental implants trigger airport security?

  Implants are made of non-magnetic titanium metal, so no, they would not trigger airport security. Newer implants all have non-ferrous metals, or metals that contain no iron. Examples of non-ferrous metals include titanium, lead, gold, silver, and copper, all of which do not have magnetic properties that would otherwise set off security systems at airports or cause harm during MRIs.

• Can I have non-metal or titanium implants?

  Before going any further, very few patients are allergic to titanium, and there are tests to help diagnose any sensitivity to metals. However, in addition to titanium implants, there is also zirconia-based material that originally resembles diamonds before being converted to ceramic. This metal-free option comes as one piece rather than three separate parts (screw, cap, and tooth), and just like titanium, zirconia is biocompatible and promotes bone growth in the target area.

  We’re positive you have more questions about implants, and the staff at Smile By Design would love to have you stop by for a consultation to address all of your concerns and opportunities for affordable and life-changing dental implants! Reference reading this article to our staff and you might even get a special good-reader award!

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One of the best features of working at Smile By Design are the many questions our patients ask us, and specifically the curiosity about gums prompts a variety of conversations with our staff. We decided to gather several of these questions and provide answers for your reading pleasure, although we still hope you have more to ask us at your next dental appointment!

• Can gums heal themselves?

  Before answering this question, please keep in mind that there are a multitude of reasons as to how gums can recede or become damaged, and we will cover this in a different post. For now, we want to focus on the following: Do gums have the biological capabilities to heal themselves without medical intervention?

  No

  Apologies for the short answer, but in the age of alternative medicine consisting of maple syrup remedies and baking soda concoctions, the truth can be hard to swallow. But you know what’s also difficult to swallow? The food you can’t chew when you have severe periodontal disease. Yes, generally you need medical intervention to heal or prevent further gum disease, and visiting a dentist for cleanings can reduce the chances of gum disease as they will remove potentially damaging bacteria. The one case where gums could heal themselves would be through receiving a cut. This lesion can be healed most likely through regular brushing and flossing, but an unhealthy lifestyle might increase the chances of infection.

• Can gums grow back?

  No. Once they’re gone, they’re out forever. There are medical procedures a patient can undergo, including grafting, but your first, natural gums are long gone.

• Can gums reattach?

  Yes, but not by themselves if there is an injury. Dental professionals actually use a technique called “pocket depth reduction” when there is a space between gums and teeth that allow for bacterial buildup. After heavily medicating your mouth, the doctor will cut open the gums, remove bacteria, tartar, and other harmful toxins, and after a few other steps, will sew the gums back to their original spot.

• Can gums be rebuilt?

  Absolutely! Soft tissue grafting procedures are the most common way of restoring gums to your mouth.

• Can gums get pimples?

  The short answer to this question is no, gums can’t get pimples, since the usual pimple entails oil and pores on skin. However, many times patients use the word “pimple” with the staff at Smile By Design to describe a gum cyst, abscess, candidiasis, canker sores, or cold sores. Cysts, abscesses, candidiasis, and cold sores require medical attention or intervention, while canker sores generally heal on their own.

• Can gums get cavities?

  No. However, as discussed above, they can develop a series of problems. Cavities are only for teeth.

• Can gums die?

  Yes, and this is called periodontal disease which can lead to tooth decay (death) as well.

• Can gums grow over teeth?

  Yes, and the name for this is called gingival overgrowth or gingival hypertrophy. Normal functions like eating and chewing can become painful, and this overgrowth can be caused by medication used for high blood pressure, seizure prevention, and certain immunosuppressants. Puberty may also trigger gum overgrowth, and bacterial infections inside the gums may also cause inflammation. All require medical attention.

• Are gums organs?

  No.

• Are gums skin?

  No, they are considered to be soft tissue, whereas the skin that covers your body is called the epidermis and protects you from the outside world. The skin connecting your lips and on your mouth protects your gums from too much exposure to air, which can otherwise cause bacterial infections. Moist mouths with healthy saliva amounts have restorative properties for gums, unlike your skin which if left moist for too long can develop bacterial and fungal infections.

• Are gums bleeding a sign of pregnancy?

  If you have been sexually active and maintain good oral health, then yes, bleeding gums can be an indicator that you are pregnant. The hormone responsible for this is called progesterone, and it’s released from the body to prepare the uterus for pregnancy. High levels of this hormone between the second and eighth month of pregnancy can cause “pregnancy gingivitis” (not the most original name in the world), and scheduling a visit with a dentist at Smile By Design can help prepare expecting mothers to maintain the best oral health possible during pregnancy.

• Can gums bleed when baby is teething?

  Absolutely! This is normal, especially as new, little teeth are sprouting. Other symptoms could entail slight rises in body temperature, lots of drooling, and a small decrease in appetite. A finger or clean and wet gauze can be used to soothe the baby’s gums, or even refrigerating (but never freezing) a rubber teething ring with water in a bottle also helps. Cold apple sauce and other cold foods are a solid choice as well once your baby is consuming solid food.

  However, if bleeding gums are accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting, 102 degree F or higher temperature, or a lack of eating for several feedings, please consult a pediatrician as soon as possible.

• Are gums supposed to bleed when flossing?

  No, and if they are bleeding on a regular basis, you have periodontal disease. Smoking contributes to this, but an unhealthy lifestyle combined with improper oral care can cause gums to bleed after flossing. Even if gums do bleed you should continue to floss, and the act of flossing should be carried out gently. Smile By Design also encourages patients to purchase a soft toothbrush and to brush gently as well as excessive force can damage gums.

• Do you have any questions you want to add?

  Wow, we covered a lot in this post, and we are sure you have more questions you’d like to ask about gums. Feel free to comment here, and if this post has inspired you to contact us for a tooth cleaning appointment, let our staff know so we can get you a discount for being a good reader!

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What does this new development mean for our patients who prefer to pay with cash, check, credit/debit card, or PayPal? Nothing – we still accept all those forms of payment, and we continue to do so for the foreseeable future. We jumped on the tech train, but that doesn’t mean you need to hop on as well in order to continue being seen by our staff at Smile By Design.

Implementing different cryptocurrencies in our Brooklyn dental office is a reflection of Dr. Abitbol’s philosophy of investing in the newest instruments and technology for maximal patient comfort and medical reliability; your care is a combination of your needs, preferences, and our professionalism combined into one.

Why is our dental office using cryptocurrencies? Blockchain technology, the medium by which cryptocurrencies operate, is very difficult to hack, and this increased security is worthwhile for a segment of our patients. Enhanced security also means we can spend less on additional technology that increases costs for our patients. Blockchain technology also allows for a greater amount of privacy when it comes to transactions, so beyond the necessary medical information we need from dental patients, the rest of their personal financial data is protected and not needed by our administration.

In addition, cryptocurrencies have the potential to allow smaller enterprises to compete with large businesses and hospitals who benefit from skewed financing laws. Our small dental office then has access to potential capital otherwise reserved for the big guys, and this will help us expand to a more responsive community participant.

Our staff at Smile By Design looks forward to attending to your needs whether you pay with traditional methods or cryptocurrencies. Our promise to you is to stay relevant and up-to-date with our technology in all regards, and using blockchain technology is another step towards fulfilling that promise.

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