Implant Restorations
Implant Restorations

The Source for Dental Implants in the Heart of Hamburg, NY & Surrounding Areas
Such as Orchard Park, Eden, Lakeview, Blasdell, Springville, and Cheektowaga, NY

Dental Implant Imaging Technology
Shows xray of tooth to be restored, and computer designed crown

Dental implants made of pure titanium were first successfully placed over 40 years ago (Dr. Ingvar Branemark, MD, DDS) and have since become the most successful dental procedure ever devised. Considered in the past to be something that we only read about in journal articles, they were reserved exclusively for the privileged few. They could be restored by only a small fraction of dentists worldwide as the materials, designs and techniques available were, at best, extremely difficult to use. These implants certainly were not an option for the ordinary person. Times have changed, and so have the materials and techniques. In the last 20 years, dental implants have moved from the rare patient treatment option to become something quite mainstream for the average patient.  Located in Hamburg, NY, we proudly offer our dental implants to residents throughout the neighboring towns of Blasdell, Cheektowaga, Eden, Lakeview, Orchard Park, Springville, NY and beyond. Contact our office today to get make an initial appointment!

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DENTAL IMPLANTS?

• Dental implants provide for a very secure method of tooth replacement
• They restore the patient’s lost functions with regard to eating, speaking, smiling and aesthetics
• Dental implants last a long time- longer than any other tooth replacement
• Dental implants don’t develop tooth decay and never need root canal treatments
• Dental implants maintain the bone mass in a patient’s jaw. Other areas where teeth have been lost will progressively lose more bone without an implant, leaving large defects that can even be seen when a patient smiles
• Dental implants don’t require other teeth to be greatly altered or “ground down” for crowns in the manner of a conventional tooth supported bridge
• Dental implants are strong
• Dental implants even have replaceable parts

Dental implants have been used for years to restore the look and feel of smiles for people across the globe. This does not come as a surprise since there so many associated benefits with dental implants! Read through these benefits below, then when you are ready to get started with your dental implants in the Hamburg, Blasdell, Cheektowaga, Eden, Lakeview, Orchard Park, and Springville, NY region, contact our office!
Woman Being Fitted for Dental Implant

WHAT ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS?

 Dental implants today are pure titanium root form fixtures placed into the bone of the upper or lower jaw to act in many ways like the roots of the natural teeth that have been lost. They are predictable and once properly healed in place or “osseointegrated”, can be used in place of the original dental roots to anchor several different types of tooth replacements. 

The surgical placement of dental implants may either be performed directly by Dr. Blake himself, or by an oral surgeon or periodontist working in close cooperation with Dr. Blake. Have no doubt, our cosmetic dentistry practice is proud to help transform the smile of patients throughout the Orchard Park, Hamburg, Eden, Lakeview, Springville, Cheektowaga, and Blasdell, NY areas. 

Contact our office today to learn more about our dental implants and to schedule an appointment!

WE BRING ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY TO DENTAL IMPLANT PROCEDURES

Typically, an acrylic surgical implant stent fabricated by Dr. Blake is made to snap onto a patient’s teeth to guide the surgeon. This ensures an optimal result by providing a precise guide during surgery, allowing for the dental implant to be placed exactly where Dr. Blake needs it to be.
CONE BEAM CT SCANS
Cone beam CT scans are increasingly used to refine the implant surgery and fabrication of the surgical guide. Such scans can be integrated with our CEREC computer system to then provide a computer designed and printed surgical guide for those particularly demanding cases that require the ultimate in implant precision. After successful osseointegration or “healing” of the implant, Dr. Blake will then provide one of several types of prosthetic tooth replacements that are then attached to the implant depending on each case.
Cone Beam CT Scan Image
In office CT scan overlaid with optical scan to plan the surgical placement of this patients implant.
Moving Cone Beam CT Scan
First photo. What in the world is this? It’s amazing what a little perspective adds to your understanding of a complicated scenario.

Second photo clears it up. This illustrates why we sometimes find it necessary to use 3 dimensional CBCT scan xrays to provide extra perspective and understanding. Otherwise, one might come to the wrong conclusion. We now use CBCT scans for ALL of our implant cases!!

DO DENTAL IMPLANTS HURT?

Absolutely not. In fact, the actual surgical placement of a root form dental implant is generally much less traumatic than the average tooth extraction. They are always performed with a local anesthetic and can also be combined with sedation in order to keep patients totally comfortable. Levels of post-op discomfort are also generally lower with dental implants than with a typical tooth extraction.
HOW LONG DO THEY LAST?
Extensive research in “Evidence Based Dentistry” has shown that when very large numbers (thousands or millions) of conventional titanium dental implants are considered, a staggering 98% of those implants are still present and functioning well after 15 years (Dr. Carl Misch, DDS).This has completely changed the way most dentists view tooth replacement. Simply put, it would now seem that all other tooth replacement methods are at best only a second alternative to dental implants.

ARE THERE DIFFERENT KINDS OF DENTAL IMPLANTS?

There are several different ways that dental implants are used to replace lost teeth. They can be used for both single and multiple tooth replacements. Traditionally a titanium root form dental implant is placed by the surgeon. The restoration of a “tooth” on the implant is carried out in a totally painless way that typically does not even require the use of local anesthesia. Dr. Blake then fabricates a titanium or zirconium (tooth colored for highly demanding esthetic cases) abutment that is then attached to the implant with a screw. A traditional crown is fabricated to be either cemented over or screwed onto the implant abutment to finish the restoration. Typically, most or all of the work is carried out behind the scenes on models of the patient’s mouth, so the patient generally does not experience the “work” that goes into the process.
THIS CAN TAKE PLACE AS ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
• A single implant-based tooth replacement among other natural teeth
• Multiple individual implant-based tooth replacements
• Two or more dental implants that can anchor a bridge
• Dental implants used to anchor a removable partial denture
• Dental implants used to stabilize and anchor a removable complete denture
• Dental implants used to anchor a fixed denture, either partial or complete. Such a denture might be screwed into the implant abutments and can only be removed with special instruments by the dentist

IS EVERYONE A CANDIDATE FOR DENTAL IMPLANTS?

Most people can be good candidates for dental implants. Properly selecting appropriate cases for implant restoration is one key to a high dental implant success rate. A complete exam is necessary to determine the best way to restore or replace missing teeth. Certain drugs and medical issues may rule patients out as good candidates, so patients need to provide a complete medical history as well as their history of medications.

Adequate amounts of healthy bone need to exist in the area that would receive an implant. Sometimes when the amount is less than optimal, various “bone grafting” techniques can be used to create new bone that might be necessary for a successful dental implant.

I HAVE HEARD OF MINI DENTAL IMPLANTS. ARE THEY AN OPTION?

Traditional titanium root form dental implants have been successfully developed and studied for over 40 years. There is a very extensive history of experience with them, and several things contribute to their amazing success rates. Among those issues are:

• Proper case selection; they are not right for everyone.
• Extreme care in the selection and preparation of bone sites in which they are placed.
• Extreme care in the design of the dental implant abutment and tooth or crown that will be placed on the implant.
• Proper size and shape of the dental root form implant so as to provide adequate support or foundation for the tooth replacement.

It is helpful to note that mini dental implants were originally intended only for the temporary stabilization of completely removable dentures. When used for this purpose they can function well. Unfortunately, some will use them to perform the expanded functions that so far only the traditional root form dental implants have had great success with for over 40 years. The study by Dr. Carl Misch that reached the amazing 15 year / 98% success rate conclusion simply does not apply to mini dental implants.

Mini dental implants have no long term studies published in professional peer reviewed journals involving large numbers of patients. A recent search of the literature was able to find few such studies that followed patients more than a year or two, and the numbers of patients involved were typically 5 – 8 patients. Certainly NOT the long term studies involving hundreds and thousands of patients with conventional implants. Therefore, mini dental implants should only be used with extreme caution, and in the most forgiving and optimal circumstances.

CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

If you are looking for a durable and aesthetically pleasing solution for your missing or damaged teeth, consider dental implants from the office of James M Blake D.D.S., PC. Composed of a titanium post that is surgically inserted into the jawbone, then topped with a custom-made crown, dental implants seamlessly mimic the look and function of your natural teeth - right down to the shape and color. Unlike dentures or bridges, implants provide a permanent base for replacement teeth, which are designed to blend seamlessly with your natural smile. Dental implant patients are able to chew and speak naturally, with total confidence that their facial structure is preserved. If you have damaged or missing teeth, a dental implant can change your life for the better.


If you think you might be a candidate for dental implants, our knowledgeable and experienced staff can answer any questions you might have about the process to put your mind at ease. Our team works with patients from Cheektowaga, Hamburg, Orchard Park, Eden, and the surrounding areas. We invite you to reach out to our office for further information or to schedule an appointment. We’ll be more than happy to help you!

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