Dr. Eduart Shkurti is the founder of ED Family Dental, PC. Dr. Shkurti earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Albania (Branch of Dentistry) and a Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Southern California (USC-School of Dental medicine). After graduating from dental school at the University of Tirana (Albania), Dr. Shkurti worked for nine years at his private practice before immigrating to the USA.

Upon arriving in the USA, Dr. Shkurti was accepted into the prestigious University of Southern California where he earned his D.D.S in 2006. In 2007, Dr. Shkurti completed a year-long residency at Montefiore Medical Center (Bronx, NY). Dr. Shkurti is an active member of the American Dental Association (ADA), the New York Dental Society and the Astoria County Dental Society. He is a supporter of Doctors without Borders and is fluent in English and Albanian.

Today, you can find Dr. Shkurti performing all aspects of dentistry including: mercury free fillings, root canals, porcelain veneers, bonding, crowns, non-metal bridges, tooth colored fillings, Invisalign, and smile makeovers. Outside of the office, Dr. Shkurti is extremely active in the dental community. He travels several times a year to participate in dental conferences and attend continuing education classes.

Other tooth replacements, like dental bridges and dentures, basically just sit on top of the gums. They neglect to replace the root structure of missing teeth. Thats where dental implants stand out. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root (usually made of titanium) that is surgically inserted into the jaw to replace the entire tooth. Because dental implants are biocompatible, the jawbone actually grows around them, creating a powerful foundation for your new teeth. A personalized dental crown, bridge, or denture is then placed on top of the implants.

As the only option that recreates the tooths root, dental implants feel much more natural than alternative solutions. They can also last for several times longer than traditional options. For this reason, the majority of dentists, including Dr. Shkurti, recommend dental implants as the best way to replace missing teeth.

If you have a long list of questions about the procedure, how dental implants work in Astoria, or how theyll be able to benefit you, dont hesitate to bring them in! Dr. Shkurti will be more than happy to address any concerns you may have.

Once Dr. Shkurti has developed your customized timeline and you decide that dental implants are the right choice for you, well schedule your surgery. One great convenience about visiting us for your dental implant procedure is that we complete the entire process from start to finish. That way, you wont have to worry about travelling from specialist to specialist. Youll be able to rest assured that you will only receive the best quality of care from Dr. Shkurti himself. Well place your implants by making small incisions in your gums. While you may experience some slight discomfort afterward, its nothing that cant be managed with over-the-counter medications.

One of the most important parts of the dental implant process of Astoria is osseointegration. This is when your titanium posts naturally fuse with your jawbone, providing a strong, stable, and lasting base for your replacement teeth to be attached to. After your dental implant surgery, it will take several months for your gums to heal and the posts to integrate with your body. Once they have, Dr. Shkurti will call you back in to place your abutments. These are small metal connector pieces that hold your replacement teeth in place. Once your abutments are secured, we will take impressions of your mouth to make a model that will be used to craft your customized restorations.

Instead of relying on the surrounding teeth to act as abutments or dental adhesive to secure a restoration, dental implants are anchored into the underlying jawbone to mimic the natural function of the missing tooth roots.As a result, they look and feel almost exactly like your original pearly whites. Here are some of the many, many benefits of dental implants in Astoria that you can look forward to!

To determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants in Astoria, Dr. Shkurti will first need to examine your oral cavity and facial structure using state-of-the-art dental technology. Checking your complete jawbone, gums, and teeth will give our team a better idea of the status of your smile and what or if any preliminary treatments are necessary.

It is best to always allow Dr. Shkurti to review your smile before making the decision on your own that you do or do not qualify for dental implants. Using the appropriate technologies and equipment, we can get a closer look at the underlying structure of your smile and recommend the necessary treatment plan for your individual needs.

No one wants to be without teeth, but the reality is that more than 120 million people have at least one missing tooth. To remedy this situation, a fixed bridge can help but so can dental implants. By placing a single tooth implant into the vacated socket, we can avoid altering natural, healthy teeth and instead, create a replica of your regular tooth that looks and functions just the same. Not only will the root continue to stimulate your jawbone, but your customized crown will blend in with your remaining teeth, giving you a complete, fully functional, and beautiful appearance.

If two or more teeth are missing, you dont have to rely on a fixed bridge or partial denture to recapture your full, complete smile. Instead, with an implant bridge, we can safely secure two implants into the outer sockets before placing metal abutments and a custom-made bridge to the top of your posts. This allows for improved oral health simply because we will not have to rely on adjacent healthy teeth to serve as anchors. Not will you require clips or clasps to hold a traditional partial denture in place.

Unlike traditional dentures that only sit on top of the gums and can easily slip or fall out of place, an implant denture is secured with the help of 4-6 implants that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jawbone. Depending on your needs, we can identify the appropriate areas of your bone and angle the implants to ensure maximum support once your denture is firmly in place. This type of tooth replacement prosthetic will allow for greater stability, functionality when eating or speaking, and a healthier, longer-lasting smile that doesnt require frequent replacement after a few years.

There is no one-size-fits-all dental implant treatment. The procedure has to be customized based on how many teeth are lost as well as the state of the patients health. As such, prices for dental implants can vary dramatically from case to case. That said, we wont move forward with the process until weve given you a reliable estimate of the final cost of treatment. Well also give you a chance to discuss your payment options (CareCredit, dental insurance, and so on) with our team members. Below are some important points youll want to know before making your lifelong investment in implants.

Gum disease therapy, tooth extractions, and bone grafting are all procedures that are often performed before dental implant surgery. Theyll add to the total cost, but it will be well worth it to maximize your chances of keeping your new smile for many decades to come. These treatments are usually partially covered by dental implants.

As for the surgery itself, it should be noted that having the entire implant procedure performed in-house simplifies the payment process. You dont have to worry about paying someone else for this procedure.

Dentures and dental bridges do tend to have a lower price when theyre not attached to dental implants, but that doesnt account for how often you might need to replace them once they become broken or worn down. Dental implants are different because they dont need to be replaced or adjusted every few years, and they dont require you to buy special products to take care of them. Theyre also better for your oral health in general; not only do they prevent bone loss, but since theyre easier to clean, they lower your risk for cavities and gum disease.

Every plan is different; most dont cover dental implants, but there are plenty of exceptions, so its worth your time to double-check. Other portions of the treatment may be covered even if the implants arent. Our team has years of experience working with insurance companies; they can help you maximize your benefits.

In addition to taking most major PPO and HMO insurance plans, we also extend flexible financing to our patients via CareCredit. This lets you pay for your care in small, easy-to-manage installments. You can visit CareCredits website to apply directly, but youre also welcome to call and discuss your financing options in further detail.

Dental implants can last for decades with the right foundation, like a strong, healthy jaw. Unfortunately, if youve had periodontal disease, prolonged untreated tooth loss, or another issue, the density of your jawbone might be compromised. As a result, you wont be a candidate for dental implants at first, but that doesnt mean you cant become one. Advanced procedures can enhance the thickness of your jaw to ensure that its strong enough to support your dental implants. Although it can add another step in your treatment, its time well spent to ensure your new smile lasts for a lifetime.

A key factor to the success of your dental implants relies on your jawbone fusing to the posts through a process called osseointegration. Many people who have lost teeth from gum disease or have lived with tooth loss for several years wont have enough bone to fuse to the posts correctly.

Bone grafting is a surgical treatment that takes bone from a donor or another area of your body and grafts it to your jaw. Over several weeks, your bone will integrate with the graft, leaving you with a strong, thick jawbone. While this adds another step to your treatment, it ensures your new smile has the stable foundation it needs to thrive.

Also known as a sinus augmentation, this surgical procedure is necessary when there isnt enough bone near the maxillary sinuses, which are located on either side of your nose by your molars. Its common for people who have lost their molars to not have enough bone by the sinuses. As a result, inserting the posts would cause them to protrude into the sinus cavity. Bone grafting enhances the height to resolve the issue.

A small oval is cut into the bone, and your sinus is pushed upward. A small bone graft is placed onto the oval and your gum tissue is sutured closed. Youll spend the next several weeks healing to create adequate space to support your implant posts.

If youre considering dental implants to replace your teeth, you probably still have some questions. Dr. Shkurti wants to ensure that you have the information you need to make a confident and informed decision, which is why hes provided the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about dental implants in Astoria. Keep reading to take your first step toward a healthy and complete smile.

If you have dentures, you may experience slipping and sliding when you talk or chew. This is not only uncomfortable, but it can be embarrassing as well. Thankfully, Dr. Shkurti can support your denture with dental implants, allowing you to enjoy a strong and sturdy smile. He can custom make dentures to attach to implants, giving you the ability to chew through all of your favorite foods and speak without worrying about your denture coming loose. The best part is that a denture can replace an entire row of missing teeth in Astoria all at once!

The dental implant process may seem a little intimidating given that it requires surgery. However, there is nothing to worry about! Patients who have received dental implants relate the procedure to a simple tooth extraction. We will ensure that youre numb and comfortable before beginning, and we offer various forms of sedation for a deeper sense of relaxation. Additionally, your jawbone doesnt contain many pain sensing nerves, making the procedure more comfortable than you may have thought.

Once youve received your dental implants, its important to allow them to integrate into your jawbone, a process that takes about 3 to 4 months. During the first few days of recovery, its completely normal to feel some soreness, and you may experience bruising. We will give you pain medication that can help manage this problem, and you can also use a cold compress to numb some of the discomfort. Additionally, its vital to watch what you eat during the first 24 to 48 hours after getting implants, eating only liquids are extra-soft foods.

After investing so much of your time and money into rebuilding your smile from the ground up, it makes sense that you would want to do everything you could to extend their lifespan. Because dental implants function identically to your natural teeth, youre able to take care of them in the same way. By being mindful of what you eat and keeping up with regular preventive dental care, youll be able to enjoy having strong, stable, and reliable prosthetic teeth for up to 35 years.

Its no surprise that maintaining good oral hygiene is an absolute must in order to keep your gums and existing teeth healthy. Just like you would with your home-grown pearly whites, its important to brush for at least two minutes, twice every day. To keep your prosthetic teeth looking new, be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste.

Although your artificial teeth cant get cavities or decay, youll still need to floss at least once every day to remove food particles lodged around your replacement teeth. When these substances accumulate, they can increase the number of harmful bacteria in your mouth and put you at risk of developing a gum infection. With a good at-home hygiene routine, youll be able to make sure that the foundation on which your implants sit (your gums) remain healthy and strong.

Your at-home oral hygiene and regular checkups arent the only habits to keep in mind when it comes to protecting your new smile. The foods you eat can also make a big impact. For example, if you frequently eat food high in sugar and starch, it can lead to higher rates of plaque and tartar irritating the gum tissue surrounding the implant. In the long-term, this can lead to major dental problems that put your implant at risk of failure. To address this, keep your consumption of unhealthy foods to a minimum and incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet.

Just like your natural teeth, your dental implants could be in harms way if you have bad oral habits, such as smoking, chewing on ice, or biting your fingernails. These can cause excessive wear and tear on your new teeth and put them at risk for breaking, chipping, or cracking. In addition, using tobacco products can inhibit the healing process after your implant surgery and increase your risk of developing an infection, causing your implants to fail. If you struggle to kick these habits on your own, let Dr. Shkurti know so she can help!

Dental implants can still break if they are met with large amounts of forced trauma. For that reason, you will need to wear a custom sportsguard if you participate in contact sports or other activities that could put your smile in harms way. If you suffer from nightly teeth grinding and clenching, speak with Dr. Shkurti about getting a protective nightguard to help shield your teeth from damage.