Joseph Vollo, DDS • Katherine Vollo, DDSDental Implants — Rochester, NY
Complete Your Smile with a Stable, Beautiful Solution
Facing the day without a complete and confident smile can often be a struggle; thankfully, this situation doesn’t have to be permanent with Vollo Dental Group’s experienced support. We offer several reconstructive services for regaining what’s been lost, and dental implants in Rochester are right at the top of the list because of their outstanding health and aesthetic benefits.
Dental implants have truly changed the way we approach dentistry. Whether our team is working on replacing a single tooth, stabilizing a denture, or recreating an entire arch of teeth, they’ve given us the ability to solve the serious problems caused by tooth loss with long-term success and predictability. To get started here in Rochester, NY, please don’t hesitate to contact our office! Dr. Joseph Vollo, Dr. Katherine Vollo, and the rest of our team look forward to meeting you.
Dental implants are widely regarded as the gold standard for tooth replacement because they’re the only option designed to replace the entire structure of a missing tooth. Your natural teeth are composed of two distinct parts: the white, visible crown and the root beneath the gums. Traditional restorations like dentures and dental bridges only restore the crowns of teeth. Not only does this often leave much to be desired in terms of stability and comfort, but it usually leads to jawbone loss and poor oral health as well.
Dental implants are the only treatment option that replaces the roots of missing teeth. A small titanium post is inserted into the jawbone, where it fuses with the surrounding tissue to form a strong, reliable foundation. On top of the post, a small abutment holds the final restoration in place. This crown, bridge, or denture is custom-made from the highest quality materials for truly seamless, natural-looking results. In the end, you’ll have a smile that looks, feels and functions just like natural!
At Vollo Dental Group, we are pleased to be able to provide the entire dental implant placement process in-house from start to finish. This means our patients do not need to see an outside specialist for the oral surgery portion of treatment. By staying in one convenient location with the same qualified professionals, it makes for a more comfortable dental implant experience. And although it is a much lengthier process than receiving dental bridges or dentures, the results are well worth the time and money invested. While no two cases are the same, the process all patients must go through is the same: initial consultation, dental implant surgery, osseointegration, and placement of the final restoration.
To learn more about how dental implants work in Rochester, review the information below and contact us with any questions.
During your initial consultation with your implant dentist in Rochester, you can expect our team to visually examine your oral cavity as well as capture digital images of your oral and facial structure. This will allow us to determine if you need preliminary treatments such as periodontal therapy, bone grafting, sinus lifts, or tooth extraction before moving forward with dental implant surgery. Although these procedures add to your overall timeframe for a new smile, they will ensure your dental implant placement is a success.
One of the great aspects of receiving dental implants in Rochester at Vollo Dental Group is that we can perform your oral surgery in-house, eliminating the need to provide a referral. After administering local anesthesia, we will make one or more small incisions in the gums to expose the jawbone. Creating the necessary entrance point, we will place each titanium post into the appropriate area of the bone before closing the gum tissue and placing a healing cap over the area.
Once you return home after your dental implant surgery, you can expect osseointegration to take place. This involves 3-6 months of recovery and allowing your bone and implant to fuse, creating a solid foundation for your new teeth. Once our team believes you are fully healed, you will return to have your metal abutment(s) put into place. These serve as small appliances that connect your restoration to your implant posts.
The last stage of dental implant placement is receiving your customized restoration. Because dental implants are highly versatile in treating all types of tooth loss, it is possible to receive an implant crown, implant bridge, or implant dentures. Depending on how many teeth you have replaced, the appropriate restoration will be crafted by lab technicians. Its size, shape, and color will be based on specifications provided by our team to ensure it matches the rest of your smile while looking and feeling completely natural.
Thanks to modern dental technology, techniques, and materials, there are a variety of ways you can replace your missing teeth. While each has its own advantages, only one holds the gold standard of tooth replacement: dental implants in Rochester. Thanks to their unique method of replacing teeth both above and below the gumline, dental implants can improve your quality of life in ways that other options simply can’t. Read on to learn more about some of the most important benefits of dental implants!
Dental implants are custom-made out of durable and lifelike materials for seamless results. In fact, once placed, dental implants are practically indistinguishable from natural teeth. However, dental implants aren’t just good for the appearance of your smile. They also prevent jawbone deterioration and reduce your risk of oral and overall health issues as well so you can look and feel your best!
Eating with missing teeth or removable dentures can make it much more difficult to enjoy certain foods. Thankfully, with dental implants, you can continue to enjoy all your favorite meals with ease! Since they’re anchored into your jawbone, they are incredibly sturdy and reliable. They can restore 85% or more of your natural biting force, allowing you to comfortably eat crisp apples, savory steaks, crunchy movie time snacks, and virtually anything else on your plate!
While traditional dentures are a classic way to quickly and easily replace missing teeth, they’re notorious for slipping or popping out of place. You can easily become distracted, uncomfortable, or embarrassed while eating or talking with them. With dental implants, this concern is a thing of the past. Their firm foundation beneath the gums instead of on top of them ensures that you’ll never feel them move around in your day-to-day life.
Not only do dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, but they’re cared for just as easily as well! Simply brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day, clean between your teeth with floss daily, and use an antibacterial mouthwash regularly to keep the supportive tissues that help keep your dental implant in place strong and healthy. Throughout your dental implant treatment, your Rochester dentist will give you personalized advice and coaching that will help keep your new smile looking, functioning, and feeling its best for decades to come.
Dentures and dental bridges both lose their fit, become uncomfortable, and need to be replaced after several years of use. Not only is this inconvenient, but it can end up being quite expensive as well. On the other hand, dental implants are designed to be a permanent solution for tooth loss. In fact, you can easily expect to enjoy your newly rebuilt smile for life with the proper care!
Whether you are missing a single tooth or have lost an entire arch, dental implants offer a wealth of benefits for your smile. Your options for dental implants include solutions for a single tooth, multiple missing teeth, or a full arch of missing teeth in the upper or lower jaw. Regardless of your situation, we can create an implant treatment plan that meets your needs and gives you back the complete smile you deserve. We can discuss your options in more detail when you come in for your consultation.
At Vollo Dental Group, we recommend dental implants to most patients who have lost teeth. In order to qualify for this treatment, you must be in good oral health, meaning you do not have gum disease or another infection. You also need to have a strong jawbone to support and hold the implants in place. If you do not meet these criteria, your implants will likely fail. However, we can address these obstacles and get in a position where you do qualify. For example, if you have gum disease, we can get it under control through periodontal therapy, or if needed, you can have a bone graft to bolster the jawbone.
An implant-supported dental crown is the very best option for rebuilding the single missing tooth. Unlike with a fixed bridge, which involves removing healthy enamel, a dental implant will not harm the surrounding natural teeth. The implant post is surgically placed beneath the gumline and allowed to heal together with the jaw, replicating real tooth structure. After 4 to 6 months, it is restored with a natural-looking dental crown on top. In fact, no one should be able to tell the tooth is prosthetic.
When we replace lost permanent teeth, we don’t always use the same number of implants. Depending on your unique situation, we may be more efficient! For patients who are missing several teeth, an implant-retained bridge can be used to replace three or more consecutive teeth by anchoring in place over two implants, which have been placed on either side of the gap. These implants provide the stability needed for the bridge, so we don’t have to disturb or reduce the surrounding natural teeth.
Dental implants can also be used to effectively replace several teeth or even an entire arch! Instead of using one implant per tooth, this technique can save our patients cost while still providing them with revitalizing, long-term improvements. Implant dentures come in two major forms – the hybrid model is designed to be permanently fixed in place within the mouth, while overdentures remain removable in nature for patients who are already used to this convenience.
Dental implants come at a higher cost than other options in tooth replacement, but they are well worth the investment. They are priced higher because the treatment requires the initial oral surgery as well as the placement of the abutment and the final restoration. Plus, only the highest-quality materials are used for implant procedures. There is no fixed price for dental implants, and the total cost of your procedure will depend on how many teeth you are missing, where in the jaw the gaps are located, and other factors. But, no matter the cost of your dental implants, they are well worth the investment in your healthy, lasting smile!
You may not have guessed it, but there are several different types of dental implants. Depending on your needs, your dentist in Rochester will discuss the different options with you at your initial consultation. Factors like how many posts you need and what materials they’re made from do affect the cost.
If you’re planning on having a single tooth replaced with an implant-retained crown, that’s going to be a less expensive procedure that an implant denture that requires anywhere from four to six posts to be placed. Dr. Vollo can walk you through the different factors and help breakdown the price of your procedure during your first appointment.
The process of getting implant-retained restorations can be broken down into a few stages. The great thing about this is that you won’t need to pay for everything at once. Rather, you’ll pay for each procedure you have over the course of several months. Here are the different stages you can expect to pay for:
Patients and professionals will agree that yes, dental implants are well worth the investment of time and money. They’re a cost-effective solution that can last for several decades with the right care. Plus, they reduce your risk of developing oral health problems down the road and prevent jawbone erosion and additional tooth loss.
To find out if your insurance policy covers dental implants, it’s best to contact your provider. However, most insurance companies consider this procedure to be cosmetic. At Vollo Dental Group, we don’t want our patients to have to put necessary oral health treatments on hold because of their budget, which is why we offer additional financing options. These are budget-friendly payment plans through CareCredit that have little or even no interest attached. We’ll be more than happy to help walk you through the process, or you can fill out the application online!
Dental implants enjoy a very high success rate, which is due in large part to the fact that dentists take great care during every stage of the procedure. However, it takes more than a skilled, caring dentist near Greece to ensure that the dental implant treatment goes as smoothly as possible from beginning to end. Having the right technology is also essential. At Vollo Dental Group, we fully recognize that fact. That is why we have invested in a CBCT scanner. Read on to learn more about this remarkable machine and the role it plays in the dental implant process.
CBCT stands for “cone beam computer tomography.” Similar machines, called CT machines, are often used in hospitals to help doctors get a clear view of what is happening beneath the skin. It is used when the level of detail provided by typical X-rays is not sufficient. The same is true of the CBCT scanner in dentistry. It helps us to get an in-depth, three-dimensional view of, not just a patient’s teeth, but also the nerves, connective tissues, and other structures in the head and neck.
The machine works by emitting a cone-shaped beam of radiation (the same type of radiation used for X-rays). It captures countless images, and then those images are assembled in a way that makes it easy for a dentist to analyze them.
The CBCT scanner is particularly useful during the dental implant process because the detailed, three-dimensional images it provides help us to plan the entire tooth replacement journey. For example, a scan can let us know if there is enough room in your jaw to support the implants, or if your sinus cavities have become enlarged to the point where a sinus lift is necessary before your implant placement surgery.
The images are also essential in helping the doctor who will place the implants to know what to expect during the surgery. If there is anything unusual about your oral anatomy, the doctor can anticipate those issues and thereby greatly reduce your risk of suffering from complications.
The CBCT scanning process is simple, quick, and painless. Before your scan, we may ask you to remove jewelry, eyeglasses, and anything else that might interfere with the final images. Then, we’ll help to position you correctly in the machine. You’ll need to stay very still as the machine’s arm rotates around you. It usually does not take more than 20 – 40 seconds to complete a scan.
Although the CBCT scanner emits a higher level of radiation than normal X-rays, it is safe for most patients. Just be sure to let us know if you are pregnant so we can be extra-aware of the need to take precautions.
Our CBCT scanner is a remarkable piece of technology that can aid in the successful placement of dental implants near Greece. To learn more about it, or about any aspect of the dental implant procedure, contact our team today.
At Vollo Dental Group, we truly believe that dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth. That’s why we recommend it for practically any patient suffering from tooth loss! However, many patients are not initially good candidates for dental implants, especially if they’ve had missing teeth for a long time. To help as many of our patients benefit from dental implants as possible, we’re proud to offer advanced dental implant procedures to help address any issues that may stand between you and rebuilding your smile with dental implants.
Once tooth loss occurs and the jawbone no longer has any stimulation in the form of a root in place, deterioration is likely to become a gradual process. If a patient has been missing teeth for many years and is now interested in dental implants, we may find that their remaining bone structure in the necessary areas cannot successfully support the placement. However, this doesn’t have to be a problem! Your dentist in Rochester can perform a site-specific bone grafting procedure as a solution to recreate an adequate foundation for implant placement.
When we extract a natural tooth for whatever reason, a small hole is left in the mouth that can shrink and recede very quickly. In order to preserve this area for the eventual placement of a dental implant, socket preservation can be performed. This can be accomplished in several ways, including the addition of new bone material, an artificial membrane, or stimulating proteins. Our goal is to heal the surgical site while preventing the collapse of nearby tissue and create a solid foundation for the new implant down the road.
You’ve invested in dental implants to restore your smile. You’re preparing for your upcoming surgery to have each post put into place. It’s an exciting time, and you can’t wait to start living life with a full, complete smile once again. But before you can begin planning your celebratory meal, complete with steak, corn on the cob, and other delicious foods, you must commit to the dental implant post-op instructions provided to you by our team. Learn how to ensure a swift and successful recovery after having your new teeth put into place.
You will still be experiencing the effects of anesthesia after your procedure, so it’s unlikely that you’ll be ready to eat anything immediately following your implant placement. After arriving home, you’ll want to spend the remainder of the day resting. During this time, you can expect that the anesthesia will wear off, which is why it’s best to get ahead of any pain by taking any prescribed medication or over-the-counter pain reliever.
Also, within the first 24 hours, allow your body to heal thoroughly, as strenuous activity, smoking, or other harmful habits can cause additional bleeding and difficulty healing.
Do not be alarmed if you experience any swelling, slight bruising, or soreness immediately following your procedure. It’s natural. Placing dental implants requires minor oral surgery, so any kind of incisions and bone fusion will lead to some discomfort; however, you can expect this to go down within a few days. With the right medication, cold compress, and rest, you’ll begin to feel better much sooner.
You do not want to incorporate solid foods anytime soon after your surgery, especially since your implants will still need time to fuse with the bone through a process known as osseointegration. During the first few days, it’s best to stick to a liquid diet. However, as time passes and you become more comfortable, you can begin to incorporate softer items like yogurt, mashed potatoes, and soft bread.
Once you no longer feel any pain when biting down, you can incorporate solid foods that will make it easier and more enjoyable to eat denser, nutrient-rich meals.
Practicing good oral hygiene doesn’t stop just because you undergo surgery. Instead, the following day after your procedure, you will need to begin cleaning and flossing your teeth as normal. The only difference is that you will have surgical sites to maneuver. Naturally, you need to be extremely careful so that you don’t irritate your soft oral tissues or implant posts.
To quicken the healing process and minimize bad oral bacteria, use a saltwater rinse as opposed to traditional mouthwash while healing after surgery.
Because the final step means receiving your new teeth, don’t be surprised if there is some slight sensitivity. However, this will go away in no time, allowing you to eat, drink, and breathe with greater ease. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying the full benefits of your new smile.
Practicing good dental implant care in Rochester is key to maintaining your new smile for decades or even a lifetime. At Vollo Dental Group, we believe in equipping our patients with the right tools, and techniques to embracing a better quality of life with dental implants, which is why you will find many helpful tips in the information below. Whether it is finding ways to break bad habits, incorporate healthier foods into your diet, or practice better oral hygiene at home, we’ve got the details you need to ensure a longer lifespan for your permanent prosthetics.
Tooth loss can take a serious toll on your oral health but so can poor dental hygiene. While it’s true that dental implants in Rochester cannot decay, any regular teeth can, which is why brushing twice a day for two minutes, flossing at least once a day, and using an antiseptic mouthwash can help eliminate bad bacteria and keep your pearly whites, both real and artificial, looking and feeling their best. This morning and evening routine will also ensure optimal gum health, which is essential if you want to avoid inflammation and infection that can attack your soft tissues and eventually cause dental implant failure.
There’s a good chance your physician has explained the importance of eating healthy foods. Not only can they positively benefit your mind and body, but they can also impact your gum and teeth. Unlike sugars and starches that cause harmful bacteria and acids to eat away at your tooth enamel and cause cavities, leafy greens, foods rich in Vitamin C and calcium, and plenty of lean proteins can keep your dental implants firmly in place.
It can be hard to break a bad habit; however, if you know that what you’re knowingly or unknowingly doing day-in and day-out can damage your dental investment, you’ll want to quit. Smoking, using your teeth as tools, eating ice, and even chewing on pens and pencils can weaken tooth enamel and cause chips or cracks in your dental implants. As a result, you’ll have to have them replaced, adding more money and time to your smile. Save yourself from an emergency dental visit and instead, find ways to kick tobacco to the curb and/or break any other unhealthy habits for good.
If you play sports, there’s a good chance your smile is at risk for serious injury. No matter the physical activity, you could experience a sudden accident that injures your mouth. Fortunately, a customized mouthguard can help safeguard your teeth and gums while allowing you to still engage in your favorite game. You might also think about talking to your implant dentist in Rochester about a nightguard if you are prone to grinding your teeth at night.
Your dentist is your ally in maintaining a healthy smile. No matter if you had only one tooth replaced or an entire arch, they will help you to avoid serious problems early on and keep your teeth looking their best. With regular six-month dental checkups and cleanings, you can better equip yourself to stay ahead of any potential oral health problems and make sure you’re doing everything you can (and should) to keep your dental implants right where they belong.
Whether you’re learning about dental implants for the first time or you’ve been researching them for a while and don’t have answers to some of your questions, you’re always welcome to give our office a call directly to address your concerns. We want nothing more than to help you feel confident about your tooth replacement, which is why we have included a few of the most common questions our team has received over the years regarding dental implants.
If you have good oral and overall health, you can expect dental implants to be very successful when placed by a professional who plans your treatment properly. However, those who have low jawbone density or gum disease will need to have these problems addressed ahead of time before oral surgery can occur. Additionally, if you have a preexisting condition, such as cancer, diabetes, or other medical issues that could increase the risk or healing effectiveness of your implant, we’ll make sure to discuss it with you during your consultation.
Technically, there is no age limit to receive dental implants. As soon as you are a full-grown adult and your jawbone has fully developed, you should be able to replace teeth through this procedure. With that said, older folks tend to have other health issues that can make the dental implant process more complicated, but not impossible. These concerns will be addressed during your initial consultation with our team.
Dental implants are designed to mimic tooth roots as closely as possible, which means they are not designed to be removed once they are fully integrated. With that said, certain implant dentures can be removed for more effective cleaning, but even this option does not involve removing the actual implants.
The moment you notice your dental implant feeling loose or shifting out of place, give our office a call right away. Much like how your natural tooth should never feel loose, a loose dental implant is an indicator that the implant is failing due to infection (peri-implantitis) or because the post never integrated properly with the bone tissue.
The length of your implant procedure will vary depending on what treatments are needed ahead of time as well as the number of implants that need to be placed. A single implant can take one to two hours to place, which includes the time it takes to administer necessary anesthesia. We’ll also need to dress you so a sterile, surgical environment can be created.
Why Choose Vollo Dental Group For Dental Implants?
What Are Dental Implants?
The 4 Step Dental Implant Process
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
Dental Implant Surgery
Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment
Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations
Benefits of Dental Implants
Look & Feel Your Very Best
Eat All Your Favorite Foods
Speak, Chew, & Smile with Confidence
Easily Care for Your New Smile
Enjoy a Healthy, Happy Smile for a Lifetime
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Missing 1 Tooth
Missing Multiple Teeth
Missing All Teeth
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Types of Dental Implants
Stages of Dental implant Treatment
Are Dental implants Worth the Investment?
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Dental Implant Technology
What Is the CBCT Scanner?
The CBCT Scanner & Dental Implants
What to Expect During a CBCT Scan
Advanced Dental Implant Procedures
Bone Grafting
Socket Preservation After Tooth Extraction
Dental Implant Post-Op Instructions
What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery
Common Side Effects
Diet
Health & Oral Hygiene
What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached
Maintaining & Caring For Your Dental Implants
Making Oral Hygiene a Priority
Eating a Healthy Diet
Breaking Bad Habits
Protecting our Dental Implants
Scheduling Regular Dental Checkups
Dental Implant FAQs
Are Dental Implants Safe?
Am I Too Old to Get Dental Implants?
Can I Take Dental Implants Out?
What Should I Do If My Dental Implant Feels Loose?
How Long Does Dental Implant Surgery Take?