When you are facing the loss of a tooth, the decision on how to replace it is one of the most important investments you will make for your health. While many providers offer dental implants, Dr. Barry Feldner believes there is a distinct advantage to having a periodontist—a specialist in the gum and bone surrounding your teeth—manage your care.
As Guardians of your oral health, we don’t just look at the empty space; we look at the entire landscape of your mouth to ensure your restoration lasts a lifetime. Here is why choosing a specialist makes a difference.
1. We May Be Able to Save Your Natural Tooth
Before we talk about implants, we must ask: Is the tooth truly beyond saving?
It is common for a tooth broken down at the gumline to be referred for extraction and an implant. However, the root is often still strong and of good size; there simply isn’t enough tooth visible above the gumline to restore it.
In these cases, we can use a transformative procedure called crown lengthening. By exposing more of the healthy tooth structure, we can often save the tooth entirely, avoiding the need for an extraction. A periodontist’s first instinct is always to save your natural tooth if it is reasonable to do so.
Decayed tooth prior
to crown lengthening
Crown lengthening exposes
more of the tooth surface
Crown is successfully
placed
2. The “Turtleneck” Effect: Why Gum Tissue Matters
If an implant is necessary, its long-term success relies on more than just the screw—it requires healthy bone and thick, robust gum tissue.
Think of your implant like a neck, and your gum tissue like a turtleneck sweater. A loose, thin turtleneck lets in the cold. Similarly, thin gum tissue is weak; it does a poor job of protecting the underlying bone from the bacteria that cause infection. A “tight turtleneck”—or thick, healthy gum tissue—acts as a protective seal.
Periodontists are specially trained in grafting gum tissue. We ensure that the tissue around your implant is thick and resilient, setting the foundation for a result that is both beautiful and secure.
CASE 1
Broken tooth will be replaced
with implant and no gum
grafting
Recession around implant
years later
Left front tooth replaced
with an implant
plus gum grafting
3. Protecting the Neighborhood
You wouldn’t build a new house on an unstable foundation. The same applies to your mouth. As periodontists, our primary focus is eliminating oral infections that cause bone loss.
When placing an implant, it is second nature for us to ensure the neighboring teeth are free from periodontal disease.
- The Risk: Implants placed in a mouth with active periodontal disease have a higher risk of failure. Infection from neighbors can easily spread to the new implant.
- The Stability: If neighboring teeth are loose, they move out of the way during chewing, causing the new implant to be overworked and stressed.
- The Protection: If the neighboring teeth are healthy and strong, the implant is protected.
We scan the entire area to ensure no hidden infections jeopardize the success of your new smile.
CASE 2
Left front tooth will be
replaced with an implant
Both implant and neighboring
tooth received gum grafting
4. We Are Trained for the Long Haul
The procedure doesn’t end once the implant is placed. The question becomes: Who maintains it?
Studies show that 53% of implants develop gum infection, and 22% experience bone loss. Because these issues are often painless in the early stages, you need someone actively monitoring your implant’s health.
Periodontists are uniquely trained to treat these specific infections and regenerate lost bone if necessary. We are experts in every phase of implant utility: preparation, placement, and long-term maintenance.
The Takeaway
From the very beginning, Dr. Feldner plans for the longevity of your dental implant. We ensure there is adequate bone, we build up the protective gum tissue, and we utilize a built-in maintenance program to keep you healthy.
We are trained to do this, and we truly enjoy the intricacies of implant care. Dr. Feldner invites you to visit us to make an informed, confident choice for your care.