Dental Implants Placed and Restored In-House: Why It Matters

Published by Daniel Wank DDS.

If you're missing a tooth, or you've just heard that one can't be saved, the first question is who will do the work and where. At Daniel Wank DDS, dental implants are placed and restored in-house, so the doctors who examine your mouth also plan your implant, place it and finish it with your new tooth. Below we explain what that means for you, how we decide between saving a tooth and replacing it, and what healing asks of you.

What does it mean to have a dental implant placed and restored in-house?

It means one office handles both halves of your treatment. An implant is a post that's surgically placed in the upper or lower jaw, and it serves as a firm base for the replacement tooth that sits on top, as the American Dental Association explains on MouthHealthy. At our practice, Dr. Daniel Wank places the implant himself, and the restoration that goes on it is completed here too.

Dr. Daniel put it plainly when he talked with us about his work: "you can sometimes send the implant out but I do my own." For you, that means the doctors who planned your implant are the same doctors who finish it, and your history stays with them from the first exam to the final tooth. You can read more about dental implant treatment at our practice.

Who places the implant at Daniel Wank DDS?

Dr. Daniel Wank places our implants. After graduating from NYU, he completed a postgraduate certificate in periodontics, the area of dentistry that focuses on the gums and the bone that support your teeth. He also practices general dentistry, so he plans an implant as one part of your whole mouth.

Dr. Daniel has practiced dentistry in New York City for over 35 years. He and his son, Dr. Bradley Wank, practice side by side, so your care comes from doctors who know their craft and know you.

Will you try to save my tooth before recommending an implant?

Yes. Dr. Daniel's view is that your natural tooth comes first whenever it can be kept healthy. Talking with us about bridges and implants, he said there's "no perfect restoration. That's why keeping your teeth is the number one deal."

Some teeth can't be kept. In the worst cases of gum disease, teeth may become loose or need to be removed, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. When that's where things stand, an implant is often the next conversation. We use digital scanners, 3D imaging and intraoral cameras when they make the picture clearer, so your plan rests on what's happening in your mouth.

Is an implant better than a bridge for one missing tooth?

It depends on your mouth, and we'll talk you through both options. A traditional dental bridge is attached to the surrounding teeth for support. An implant is anchored in the jaw by itself. Dr. Daniel sees that as one of the better arguments for an implant: "they don't rely on the adjacent teeth and it's easier to clean."

He's also straightforward about the trade-offs. When the gap is wide, food can get caught between an implant and the tooth next to it, so cleaning still takes attention. A bridge has its own routine, too. Dr. Daniel recommends floss threaders for bridges: a stiff nylon threader you pass under the bridge and pull through to clean the space.

Am I too old for a dental implant?

Age matters less than your overall health. If you're in good general health, an implant may be an option for you, and your physician may be asked to evaluate you before surgery. Chronic conditions such as diabetes can interfere with healing, and tobacco use can slow it down.

While you heal, your dentist may recommend soft foods, cold foods and warm soup. Bring your health history and a list of your medications to your consultation so we can plan around them.

Why do Upper East Side patients choose Daniel Wank DDS for dental implants?

Patients choose us because the doctor who places your implant has postgraduate training in periodontics, and the whole treatment, from planning to the final tooth, happens in our Upper East Side dental office. Dr. Daniel does his own implant surgery in-house, along with gum procedures such as connective tissue grafts.

Each patient is evaluated individually, and each treatment is designed with long-term stability in mind. Dr. Daniel and Dr. Bradley practice as a father-and-son team with deep roots in New York dentistry, and when a problem feels urgent, you reach our office directly. We're on the 6th floor of a professional medical building at 115 East 61st Street, between Lexington and Park Avenue.

If you're weighing an implant, or you want to know whether a tooth can be saved first, call us at (212) 867-0345 or reach us through our contact page. We'll look at your whole mouth with you and lay out your options.

Published by Daniel Wank DDS.