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Taking the first step toward a restored smile is easier than you think. At our Upper East Side practice, Dr. Marc Lazare partners with leading oral surgeons and periodontists for the surgical phase of dental implants — and personally crafts the final crown, bridge, or full-arch restoration that completes your smile. Whether you are missing one tooth or replacing a full arch, you receive specialist-led surgical care and master-level cosmetic restoration under one coordinated plan.
Our Office in New York City
Our Dental Implant Process
Receiving a dental implant is a multi-phase process that brings together two distinct areas of expertise: the surgical placement, performed by a trusted oral surgeon or periodontist, and the aesthetic restoration, designed and placed by Dr. Lazare. Below is a clear, stage-by-stage overview of what to expect — from your first consultation to the moment your final restoration is in place.
Step 1: Initial Consultation & Candidacy Assessment
Your journey begins with a comprehensive consultation at Dr. Lazare's Upper East Side practice. We evaluate your overall oral health, gum condition, and surrounding restorative needs to determine whether a dental implant is the right long-term solution for you. Where indicated, we coordinate advanced imaging — including cone beam CT (CBCT) scanning — with our specialist partner to allow precise, three-dimensional assessment of the implant site before any clinical decisions are made.
Step 2: Treatment Planning & Coordination
Once candidacy is confirmed, Dr. Lazare works directly with the oral surgeon or periodontist who will perform your surgical placement to develop a fully coordinated treatment plan. You receive a clear roadmap covering the timing of each phase, what to expect at each appointment, and how your final restoration will look. Digital smile design tools allow you to preview the cosmetic outcome before any surgical procedure begins — so the surgical and restorative phases are aligned from the start.
Step 3: Implant Placement (Surgical Phase — Performed by Specialist)
The surgical placement of the titanium implant post is performed by our trusted oral surgeon or periodontist partner — specialists chosen for their precision, conservative technique, and surgical track record. The procedure is typically carried out under local anesthesia, with intravenous or oral sedation options available for patient comfort. Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how manageable the experience is — discomfort is usually minimal and well-controlled with the post-operative guidance you will receive.
Step 4: Healing & Osseointegration
After placement, a healing period of several weeks to a few months allows the implant to fuse with the jawbone in a biological process called osseointegration. This bonding is what gives implants their exceptional long-term stability. Your surgical specialist oversees the healing phase, while Dr. Lazare's team coordinates the next stage and begins preparing the custom restoration that will ultimately complete your smile.
Step 5: Aesthetic Restoration (Dr. Lazare’s Phase)
Once the implant is fully integrated, the case returns to Dr. Lazare for the restorative phase — the part of the process that determines how your implant looks, feels, and functions for the next twenty years. Dr. Lazare takes precise impressions and digital scans to fabricate your custom crown, bridge, or implant-supported prosthetic. Every restoration is crafted from premium materials, matched in colour, shape, and translucency to your natural teeth, and fitted with meticulous attention to your bite, symmetry, and overall smile aesthetics. This is where surgical foundation meets cosmetic artistry — and where decades of restorative experience become visible in your final result.
Before and After
Why Choose Dental Implants?
Dental implants are widely regarded as the gold standard for replacing missing teeth — and for good reason. An implant is a small titanium post placed into the jawbone by an oral surgeon or periodontist, acting as an artificial tooth root. Once the implant has integrated with the bone, a custom crown, bridge, or denture is attached on top, restoring the full appearance and function of a natural tooth.
At our Upper East Side practice, Dr. Marc Lazare works in close collaboration with carefully selected oral surgeons and periodontists for the surgical phase. Dr. Lazare then personally designs and places the final restoration — the visible, lasting result of the implant — drawing on decades of biomimetic and cosmetic dentistry expertise to ensure the crown looks, feels, and blends seamlessly with your natural smile.
Key benefits of dental implants include:
Natural look and feel:
Custom-crafted crowns and restorations are designed to match the color, shape, and translucency of your surrounding teeth — virtually indistinguishable from natural dentition.
Improved chewing and speech:
Unlike removable dentures, implants are firmly anchored in the jaw, restoring full bite strength and eliminating the slipping or clicking associated with conventional prosthetics.
Jawbone preservation:
When a tooth is lost, the jawbone beneath it gradually deteriorates. Implants are the only tooth replacement option that stimulates the bone, preventing this bone loss and preserving facial structure.
Long-term durability:
With proper care, dental implants can last decades — and often a lifetime. They’re a permanent solution, not a temporary fix.
Confidence and quality of life:
Patients consistently report that implants restore not just their smile, but their confidence, comfort while eating, and overall quality of life.
Compared to traditional bridges, implants do not require grinding down healthy adjacent teeth — preserving the natural tooth structure that remains. Compared to removable dentures, implants offer unmatched stability and a far more natural experience. For most patients in good overall health with sufficient bone density, implants are the superior long-term investment in both function and aesthetics.
Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Most healthy adults who are missing one or more teeth are potential candidates for dental implants. That said, candidacy depends on several individual factors, which is why a personalized assessment is so important.
Key candidacy factors include:
Overall health:
Candidates should be in good general health. Certain systemic conditions — such as uncontrolled diabetes or autoimmune disorders — may affect healing and require careful consideration.
Gum health:
Healthy gums are essential. Active gum disease must be treated and resolved before implant placement can occur. Our team will assess your periodontal health as part of the initial evaluation.
Bone density:
A sufficient volume of healthy jawbone is needed to anchor the implant. This is assessed through digital imaging and CBCT scans during your consultation.
Non-smokers (or willingness to quit):
Smoking significantly impairs healing and increases the risk of implant failure. We discuss lifestyle factors openly as part of treatment planning.
What If I Have Bone Loss?
Bone loss is a common concern — particularly in patients who have had missing teeth for an extended period. The good news is that this doesn’t necessarily disqualify you as a candidate. Procedures such as bone grafting or sinus lift augmentation can restore adequate bone volume prior to implant placement, allowing more patients to benefit from this solution.
Our implant specialist partner and Dr. Lazare work together to evaluate whether preparatory procedures are appropriate for your case and will guide you through every option with complete transparency.
The only way to know for certain whether you’re a good candidate is through a comprehensive, personalized assessment. We encourage you to schedule your complimentary consultation so we can evaluate your unique situation and give you a clear, honest picture of your options.
What to Expect – Before, During, and After Treatment
Understanding each stage of the implant process helps patients feel confident and prepared. Here’s a realistic, stage-by-stage guide to what most patients experience:
Before Treatment: Preparation
Prior to any procedure, you’ll receive clear pre-operative instructions from both our team and the implant specialist. These may include dietary guidelines, any necessary medication adjustments, and oral hygiene recommendations. If sedation is planned, arrangements for transportation home will be required. Dr. Lazare’s team is available to answer any questions you have in the days leading up to your appointment.
During Treatment: The Procedure
The surgical placement of the implant is performed by your oral surgeon or periodontist under local anesthesia — you will not feel pain during the procedure itself. Sedation options including nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and intravenous sedation can be arranged for patients who prefer additional comfort. The procedure is typically completed within one to two hours, depending on complexity. Most patients describe the experience as far more comfortable than anticipated.
After Treatment: Recovery & Healing
Mild soreness, swelling, and bruising in the days following surgery are normal and manageable with over-the-counter pain medication and ice application. Most patients return to desk work and light activity within a day or two. Strenuous exercise and certain foods should be avoided during the initial healing period. You’ll receive detailed post-operative instructions and have direct access to our team should any concerns arise.
The osseointegration period — during which the implant fuses with the bone — typically takes between 8 and 16 weeks, depending on the individual. This phase is largely uneventful; patients simply continue with normal routines while healing progresses.
Aftercare: Long-Term Implant Health
Once your final restoration is in place, caring for your implant is straightforward. Brush and floss as you would natural teeth, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Water flossers can be particularly useful around implant sites. Regular professional cleanings and check-up visits with Dr. Lazare are important for monitoring the health of the surrounding gum and bone tissue.
With diligent oral hygiene and routine professional care, dental implants can last decades — and for many patients, a lifetime. Dr. Lazare’s team will provide tailored maintenance guidance specific to your restoration type.
Who Places the Dental Implants and Who Restores Them?
Dental implants involve two distinct areas of expertise. The surgical aspects of the procedure — including extractions of failing teeth, bone grafting, sinus augmentation where indicated, and the placement of the implant itself — are performed by trusted oral surgeons and periodontists with whom Dr. Lazare has long-standing professional relationships. These specialists are selected for their precision, conservative technique, and consistent results.
Once the implant has integrated with the bone and the site is ready to be restored, the case returns to Dr. Lazare. He takes the records, designs the final crown, bridge, or full-arch prosthetic, and personally oversees its fabrication and placement — ensuring it matches your natural teeth in colour, shape, and translucency, and fits perfectly within your bite.
Dr. Lazare is the quarterback of this team approach. He coordinates each phase, manages communication between specialists, and remains your point of contact from the first consultation through the final fitting — so the experience is seamless from start to finish.
Is the Placement of Dental Implants Painful?
Implant surgery is performed by your oral surgeon or periodontist under local anesthesia. For patients who prefer additional comfort, intravenous or oral sedation can be arranged, and in select cases — depending on medical history and case complexity — general anesthesia may be appropriate.
Most patients are surprised by how manageable the procedure is. Some postoperative swelling and mild residual discomfort are normal in the first few days and are easily managed with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication. Dr. Lazare and the surgical specialists he works with take every step — clinical and personal — to ensure the entire experience is calm, comfortable, and well-supported from start to finish.
Why Are Dental Implants a Good Option for Missing Teeth?
Dental implants are uniquely effective because they replace not just the visible tooth, but the root structure beneath it. By integrating directly with the jawbone, an implant stimulates the surrounding bone the way a natural tooth root would — preventing the bone loss that follows tooth extraction and helping to preserve facial structure over time.
In addition to halting bone deterioration, implants restore a healthy, balanced bite and full chewing function, support the surrounding gum tissue, and deliver an aesthetic result that is virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. For most patients in good overall health, dental implants are the most reliable, longest-lasting solution available for missing teeth — and a long-term investment in both oral health and confidence.