Save Your Tooth or Get an Implant? How We Decide on the Upper East Side, NY

If you've been told a tooth might need to come out, the first question on your mind is probably whether it can be saved. At Daniel Wank DDS, that's the first question we ask too, before we talk about replacing any tooth. Below, we explain how we decide whether to save a tooth or replace it with an implant, what shapes that choice, and what to expect when you see us on the Upper East Side, NY.

Can my damaged tooth be saved, or does it need to come out?

Many damaged teeth can be kept, and some can't. The answer depends on how much healthy tooth is left, the health of the gums and bone around it, and whether a repair is likely to last.

A tooth worth keeping might need a crown, or treatment for the gums that hold it in place. Our restorative dentistry for damaged teeth is built around repairing the teeth you have. Dr. Daniel Wank puts it simply: "There's many ways to skin the cat".

When a tooth can't be kept predictably, removing it is the right recommendation. If that's the case for you, we'll show you why on your x-rays and photos, and walk you through how the space can be replaced.

Is a dental implant better than a natural tooth?

A dental implant is a strong replacement for a tooth that's missing or can't be kept, and a healthy natural tooth is still worth keeping when it can be. Dr. Daniel Wank says it this way: "People have a misconception about dental implants. They think that they're better than teeth".

He places and restores dental implants in our office, so this view comes from a dentist who uses them. He sees room for both: "I think that implants have a place and so does restorations of teeth."

If an implant turns out to be your best option, your general health matters more than your age. Chronic conditions such as diabetes, and tobacco use, can slow healing after implant surgery, according to the American Dental Association's MouthHealthy guide to implants. We'll go over your health history with you before we plan one.

Can a tooth loosened by gum disease be saved?

Often it depends on how far the gum disease has gone. Early gum disease can often be reversed with daily brushing and flossing, and the number and type of treatments vary with how advanced the disease is. In the most advanced cases, teeth may become loose or need to be removed, as the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research explains.

This is where Dr. Daniel Wank's training comes in. After graduating from NYU, he completed a postgraduate certificate in periodontics, the area of dentistry focused on the gums and bone that support your teeth, and he also practices general dentistry. When he looks at a problem tooth, the gums and bone get as much attention as the tooth itself. "I'm looking at their periodontal condition," he says.

How do you decide whether to save or replace a tooth?

We look at the whole mouth, show you what we see, and plan with you from there. "I take intraoral pictures, I take x-rays," Dr. Daniel Wank says. Then he shows you his main concerns, and sometimes goes over your mouth tooth by tooth.

These are the questions we weigh together:

• How much healthy tooth structure is left to support a repair
• How healthy the gums and bone around the tooth are
• Whether a repair is likely to hold up over time
• Your health history, and what you want for your smile

If your mouth needs a lot of dental work, we often plan it in steps. "I tend to try to do things in stages," Dr. Daniel Wank says. That gives you time to understand each step before the next one starts.

Why do Upper East Side patients choose Daniel Wank DDS before deciding on an extraction?

At our Upper East Side dental office, one team can help you keep a tooth or replace it. Periodontal treatment, implant dentistry and restorative care are all handled in-house, so the advice you get comes from doctors who do all three.

Before we discuss replacing a tooth with an implant, we ask whether it can be saved. Dr. Daniel Wank's postgraduate training in periodontics shapes that answer, because the gums and bone decide whether a saved tooth will last. If you've already been told a tooth needs to come out, it's completely okay to want another opinion before you decide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my tooth can be saved instead of pulled?

It depends on how much healthy tooth is left, the health of the gums and bone around it, and whether a repair is likely to last. Dr. Daniel Wank takes intraoral pictures and x-rays, then shows you his main concerns and sometimes goes over your mouth tooth by tooth.

What treatment might save my tooth?

A tooth worth keeping might need a crown, or treatment for the gums that hold it in place. Restorative care and periodontal treatment are both handled in our office, so we can focus on repairing the teeth you have.

Is a dental implant better than my natural tooth?

Not automatically, because a healthy natural tooth is still worth keeping when it can be. An implant is a strong replacement for a tooth that's missing or can't be kept, and Dr. Daniel Wank places and restores implants in our office, so he sees room for both.

Can a tooth loosened by gum disease still be saved?

Often it depends on how far the gum disease has gone, since early gum disease can often be reversed with daily brushing and flossing, while in the most advanced cases teeth may become loose or need to be removed. Dr. Daniel Wank completed a postgraduate certificate in periodontics, so the gums and bone get as much attention as the tooth itself.

What happens if my tooth can't be saved?

When a tooth can't be kept predictably, removing it is the right recommendation, and we'll show you why on your x-rays and photos before walking you through how the space can be replaced. If an implant is your best option, we'll go over your health history first, because conditions such as diabetes, and tobacco use, can slow healing after implant surgery.

Wondering whether your tooth can be saved? Call us at (212) 867-0345 or reach our team through our contact page to book a visit. We'll look at the tooth, the gums and the bone around it, and talk through every option with you.

Published by Daniel Wank DDS.