Implants vs. Dentures

As technology grows, the RETIREMENT generation has more choices.

As medical technology becomes more sophisticated and the population lives longer, the dental technologies are evolving as well. As the year 2000 approaches, Geriatric patients are growing in number. They are also screaming for better Dental treatment. Today, dentures are frequently being replaced by implants. People are tired of having to take out their dentures and rinsing them after each meal. Also, they feel that dentures are for older people, and they do not want to feel older than they already are.

Implants have been around for close to 40 years, but a real boom has taken place over the past 10 years. Implants allow people to feel their palate, brush their "teeth" without taking anything out and move their tongue without feeling a piece of plastic moving around. Implants are place under the gum in the bone and are stabilized by the bone. Implants can function as early as four to six weeks and as late as six to 12 months after the procedure. Your dentist will recommend which implant is right for you. The criteria for the choices vary from your health, to the amount of bone you have, to the fee involved. Understand that nothing is full proof and therefore the investment made in receiving implants is well served by maintaining proper methods of dental hygiene in maintaining them. SMOKERS beware, implants are often not recommended!!

Most dentists will refer a specializing dentist when you are ready to have implants placed These dentists will evaluate you again. Sometimes they will mention sinus lifts (upper jaw) or nerve repositioning (lower jaw) in order for them to place one or more implants. Unfortunately, few studies exist on these procedures. Some specialists that want to place their implants may tell you there are no other ways. However, there are many studies that show that blade-like implants will fit in shallow areas, most often present in the back area of the mouth. Also, screw-type implants are very widely used and often recommended for front area since more bone is available.

Dr. Michael Farahnic

Always Your Choice is proud to acknowledge Dr. Michael Farahnick for his authorship in the dental articles. Dr. Farahnick is a practitioner of Dentistry, including both prevention and treatment. His practice involves all age groups and he has expertise in the area of accomodating the patient who has dental fears. He also is an instructor of dentistry at New York University School of Dentistry. We are proud to refer to Dr. Farahnick and he has become the dentist of many of our patients at the office. His contribution to our web site is greatly appreciated.

Dr. Michael Farahnick's office is located at: 405 Lexington Avenue (The Chrysler Building) Suite 6900 New York, NY 10174 - 0360 His office may be
reached at : 212 - 557 - 1234 E-mail:softstick@tiac.net