Dental implants in Astoria, Queens
A dental implant replaces a missing tooth from the root up. It stands on its own, so the healthy teeth next to it don't have to be filed down to hold a bridge. Dr. Bryant Ukaigwe, DMD, plans each case from a 3D scan taken in our Astoria office, places the implant himself, and restores it in the same practice.
What a dental implant is
An implant has three parts that work together to look and function like a natural tooth.
- The implant. A small titanium or zirconia post placed in the jawbone, where the tooth root used to be. Over a few months, bone bonds to its surface.
- The abutment. A connector that attaches to the implant and rises just above the gumline.
- The crown. A custom tooth, shaded to match your other teeth, fixed onto the abutment.
Who is a good candidate for dental implants
Most adults who are missing one or more teeth can be evaluated for implants. At your consultation, Dr. B looks at your gums, your bite, and how much bone supports the area on a 3D scan.
Implants may be a good fit if you:
- Are missing a tooth, or have a tooth that can't be saved
- Want to avoid grinding down neighboring teeth for a bridge
- Find a removable partial denture uncomfortable
- Have healthy gums, or are willing to treat gum disease first
Things that may need attention first
Some conditions don't rule implants out, but they can add steps or affect healing. Dr. B will talk through each of these with you.
- Bone loss where the tooth has been missing, which may need a bone graft
- Active gum disease
- Smoking or vaping
- Uncontrolled diabetes or other medical conditions
- Certain medications, including some for bone density
The dental implant process, step by step
Timelines vary from person to person. Healing between placement and your final crown often takes a few months.
Consultation and 3D imaging
An exam, a conversation about your goals, and a 3D CBCT scan taken here in the office, so Dr. B can see the bone, nerves, and sinuses on screen and show you what he is looking at.
Your treatment plan
A written plan with the steps, the expected timeline, and the costs, so you can decide with all the information in front of you. We verify your insurance benefits before treatment begins.
Preparing the site, if needed
Removing a failing tooth or adding a bone graft. Sometimes this happens the same day as implant placement.
Placing the implant
Dr. B places the implant himself, under local anesthetic, so the area is numb. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and conscious oral sedation are available for many patients; whether either one suits your health history and this procedure is something he goes over beforehand. Many people return to normal routines within a day or two.
Healing
The bone bonds to the implant over the following months. You may wear a temporary tooth during this time.
Your final crown
Once the implant is stable, a custom crown is made and attached in the same office that placed the implant. It's checked for fit, color, and bite.
Ongoing care
Brush, floss, and keep regular checkups. Implants can't get cavities, but the gums around them still need care.
If surgery is the part that worries you
A lot of people who need an implant have been putting it off, and it usually isn't about the tooth. Dr. B's practice is built around patients with dental anxiety and dental phobias.
Say so when you book. It changes how the appointment is scheduled and how it runs.
- You see the plan first. Your 3D scan goes up on the screen and Dr. B walks through exactly what he intends to do before you agree to anything.
- The area is fully numbed. Most patients describe pressure rather than pain during placement.
- Sedation options. Nitrous oxide, often called laughing gas, and conscious oral sedation are available for many procedures. Whether either is appropriate depends on your health history and the treatment planned, and Dr. B discusses it at your consultation.
- You can stop. Raise a hand at any point and the appointment pauses.
Implants compared with bridges and dentures
Each option has a place. This is a general comparison; your own situation may be different.
| Consideration | Dental implant | Fixed bridge | Removable partial denture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neighboring teeth | Left untouched | Filed down to support the bridge | Clasps rest on nearby teeth |
| Jawbone | Helps maintain bone where the tooth was | Bone under the gap can shrink over time | Bone under the gap can shrink over time |
| Day to day | Brush and floss like a natural tooth | Needs a floss threader under the bridge | Taken out to clean and at night |
| Eating | Chews like a natural tooth | Chews well | Can shift; some foods are harder |
| Treatment time | Several months, including healing | Usually a few weeks | Usually a few weeks |
| Upfront cost | Typically higher | Moderate | Typically lower |
General patient information, not a diagnosis. Dr. B will recommend what fits your health, your bite, and your budget.
Cost and financing for dental implants
The cost depends on how many teeth are being replaced, whether you need extractions or bone grafting, and the type of crown.
You will get an exact figure in your written treatment plan after your consultation, before any work begins. We accept most PPO insurance plans and verify your benefits first, and financing is available so you can spread the cost into monthly payments.
Ask us about
- Monthly payment plans through CareCredit, Cherry, Alphaeon Credit, and LendingTree
- What your PPO plan covers — we verify your benefits before treatment
- Using HSA or FSA funds
- Your written treatment plan, with the costs on it, before anything begins
Dental implant questions
Have a question not listed here? Call (347) 566-8816.
Does getting a dental implant hurt?
The area is numbed during the procedure, so most people feel pressure rather than pain. Some soreness and swelling afterward is normal for a few days and is usually managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Dr. B will give you aftercare instructions.
Can I be sedated for implant placement?
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and conscious oral sedation are available for many procedures, on top of the local anesthetic that numbs the area. Not every patient or procedure is suited to sedation, so Dr. B reviews your medical history and the plan with you at the consultation and tells you which options apply.
How long does the whole process take?
For many patients, it takes a few months from placement to the final crown, mostly to let the bone heal around the implant. If you need a tooth removed or a bone graft first, it can take longer. Your treatment plan will include an expected timeline.
How long do dental implants last?
With good home care and regular checkups, implants can last many years. The crown on top may eventually need replacing from normal wear. Smoking and gum disease can shorten an implant's life.
Does insurance cover dental implants?
We accept most PPO plans, but coverage for implants varies: some plans pay part of the cost and some exclude implants altogether. The office verifies your benefits before treatment so the number in your plan is the real one.
Do you do the surgery and the crown, or do I get referred out?
Both happen here. Dr. B plans the case from the in-office 3D CBCT scan, performs the implant surgery himself, and makes and fits the final crown in the same practice.
Am I too old for implants?
Age alone usually isn't the deciding factor. Overall health, bone, and gum health matter more. Dr. B will review your medical history at your consultation.
What happens if I don't replace a missing tooth?
Over time, nearby teeth can drift into the gap, the opposing tooth can over-erupt, and the bone where the tooth was can shrink. These changes can affect your bite and make future treatment more involved.
Find out if a dental implant is right for you
Book a consultation with Dr. B in Astoria. You will leave with a clear picture of your options and a written plan.