People often imagine that a missing tooth is only a cosmetic issue. It isn’t. One gap in the arch changes how you chew, how your jaw moves, even how the bone underneath behaves. That small space slowly invites others to shift, and the bite begins to change.
At Gamma Dental Clinic P.C., Dr Olga Gelfand and Dr Zoren Ratner see this pattern almost every week. They treat it with dental implants — small titanium posts that quietly do the work a natural root once did. When the bone grows around an implant, it becomes part of the body’s structure again. That’s what makes it different from any other kind of restoration: it doesn’t just sit there; it connects.
An implant is a simple idea done with precision. A titanium post is placed into the bone and left to heal. The surface of the metal invites bone cells to attach, forming a permanent bond. Later, an abutment is fixed to the post, and a crown or bridge goes on top.
When Dr. Ratner explains it to patients, he often sketches it out: “Root here, bone here, implant here.” Most people nod — it’s logical. The difference is how secure it feels once it’s healed. You can bite into an apple, speak naturally, and forget the tooth was ever missing.
No two cases look the same. Some people lose one tooth, others several. Some have worn dentures for years and want to stop worrying about movement. That’s why Gamma Dental Clinic offers several types of implant treatments:
● Single-tooth implants for individual gaps.
● Implant-supported bridges when a few teeth in a row are missing.
● All-on-4 dental implants, which anchor a full arch of teeth on four posts.
● Same-day implants, when bone quality allows immediate placement with a temporary crown.
● Implant-retained dentures, for patients who want removable options that still feel stable.
● And, yes, implants for seniors, provided health and bone levels are suitable. Age itself isn’t the deciding factor.
It begins with imaging — a 3-D scan that shows every angle of the jaw. Dr Gelfand studies the scan, looks at the nerve pathways, checks bone thickness, and then discusses the plan openly.
No guesswork, no jargon.
Placement comes next. The site is numbed completely, and the post is guided into position. Most patients say they feel vibration, not pain. A few stitches close the gum, and that’s it for the day. Over the next months, bone and implant integrate — a quiet biological process that can’t be rushed.
Once the foundation is ready, the abutment and final crown are attached. The crown is matched in color and shape so precisely that even a dentist has to look twice to tell which tooth is new.
Implants feel stable. They don’t click, slip, or rely on adhesives. The bone stays alive because it still has something to hold. Speech sounds natural. Food tastes the same. There’s no reason to remove them for cleaning — just brush and floss like usual.
And, unlike bridges, implants don’t require altering healthy teeth. That’s often what convinces hesitant patients to proceed: nothing else in the mouth has to be touched.
Patients who switch from dentures to implants usually say the same thing during the first follow-up: “I should have done this sooner.”
Part of it is experience. Dr. Olga Gelfand has spent more than two decades restoring smiles and understands how the bite, joints, and muscles work together. Dr Zoren Ratner, trained at NYU and Maimonides, brings surgical precision and a calm, methodical approach.
The other part is the atmosphere. Everything — from imaging to surgery to follow-up — happens in one office on Avenue Z. Patients see the same faces from start to finish. Costs are explained in plain numbers, and payment plans are arranged before treatment begins.
“We never treat an implant as a mechanical job,” says Dr Gelfand. “It’s a medical procedure that changes how someone eats and smiles every day. That deserves care.”
The implant post can last a lifetime. The crown on top may need renewal after ten to fifteen years, similar to any other dental restoration.
Most patients return to normal activities within a couple of days. The deeper healing — bone integration — continues for three to six months.
Brush and floss as with natural teeth. Schedule regular professional cleanings and avoid smoking, which can slow healing.
Local anesthesia removes pain during surgery. Mild tenderness or swelling afterward is common but short-lived.
At Gamma Dental Clinic P.C., Dr Gelfand and Dr Ratner handle both surgical and restorative stages themselves, ensuring consistency from start to finish.
If you’re exploring dental implants near you in Sheepshead Bay, we invite you to meet our team and see what is possible. A consultation at Gamma Dental Clinic P.C. gives you a clear plan, honest answers, and the reassurance that your case will be managed by experienced professionals.
Call (718) 769-4900 or visit us at 1021 Avenue Z, Brooklyn, NY 11235 to schedule your appointment.
Reviewed for accuracy by Dr Olga Gelfand and Dr Zoren Ratner. Information provided for patient education.