Dental Implants
Dental implants are the optimal solution for replacing missing teeth. They are small, titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone to serve as artificial tooth roots. These implants provide a strong foundation for the attachment of replacement teeth, such as individual crowns, bridges, or even full dentures. Dental implant placement enables a person the ability to eat virtually anything and retain their natural facial contours.
Smile with confidence,
eat your favorite foods again,
and enjoy your life to the fullest.
Online Resources
Explore our dental implant patient resources with easy online registration, comprehensive aftercare instructions, and real patient testimonials.
How do Dental Implants Work?
Dental Implants look, feel and function like natural teeth. When you lose a tooth, you lose both the root and the crown.
In replacing the tooth, we start by placing a small titanium implant into the jawbone which acts as the new root. We then allow some time for the jawbone surrounding the dental implant to heal.
Next, an abutment (support post) is placed on top of the implant
Then a new replacement crown (part that you eat with) is placed on top of the abutment.
Roll over the hot buttons on the image to get a better understanding of the anatomy of a dental implant.
Titanium Implant
Your oral surgeon places this piece into your jawbone. It acts as your new tooth root.
Abutment
This is the support post, connecting the implant to the crown.
Crown
Your dentist will create this crown, designed to match the rest of your teeth in color and size for the most natural appearance.
7 Benefits of Dental Implants
- Natural Appearance: Dental implants closely resemble natural teeth, providing a seamless and aesthetically pleasing smile.
- Improved Chewing Ability: Dental implants allow for comfortable and efficient chewing, enabling you to enjoy a wide range of foods.
- Longevity: With proper care, dental implants can last for many years, making them a durable and long-lasting tooth replacement option.
- Preservation of Jawbone: Dental implants help preserve the jawbone’s structure and prevent bone loss, maintaining oral health.
- Convenience: Dental implants are a permanent solution that doesn’t require removal, adhesives, or special cleaning routines like removable dentures.
- Improved Oral Health: Unlike dental bridges, dental implants do not require modification of adjacent teeth, preserving the integrity of natural teeth.
- Enhanced Confidence: Restoring your smile with dental implants can boost self-confidence and self-esteem, allowing you to smile and speak with assurance.
I highly recommend this oral surgeon, Ben Jacobs, he did an excellent job in handling my surgery with no after effects. The NJ Center for Oral Surgery are highly professional center in arranging my Implant and Sinus lift setup. The administrative staff were wonderful, they handled all my insurance and other necessary procedures that needed to be done before the surgery. All I had to do is walk in on the day of my surgery, they made sure I was comfortable and well taken care of during and after my surgery. I know, I will be back here again for future implants at this center.
Caring for Dental Implants
Dental Implants are designed to potentially last a lifetime. With proper care, successful implants can function and look just like natural teeth. Your oral hygiene is very important, so it is important to brush and floss your implants just like you would natural teeth. You should also visit your dentist several times each year for hygiene and maintenance. As with regular dentures and other tooth replacements, your implants and their associated components are subject to wear and tear and eventually will need repair, including clip replacement, relines, screw tightening, and other adjustments.
Be sure to floss regularly to lengthen the life of your dental implants.
Why Choose to Replace Teeth with Dental Implants?
First and foremost, they restore your ability to chew and speak comfortably, just like natural teeth. They are designed to look, feel, and function like your own teeth, enhancing both your smile and your overall oral health.
Another significant benefit of dental implants is their ability to preserve the structure and integrity of your jawbone. When a tooth is lost, the underlying bone can start to deteriorate over time. By replacing the missing tooth root with a dental implant, it stimulates the surrounding bone, preventing further bone loss and maintaining facial harmony.
What Should I Expect During Dental Implant Procedure?
The implant placement process involves multiple steps over several months. It starts with an initial consultation to assess candidacy, followed by implant surgery, a healing period, and finally the crown placement.
Consultation and Planning
It all begins with a comprehensive exam, x-rays, and consultation to determine if implants are right for you. Your New Jersey implant dentist will evaluate your oral and general health to check that adequate bone is present to support the implants. Together, you’ll develop a customized treatment plan.
Implant Placement Surgery
Most implants are placed under local anesthesia, so you remain comfortable throughout the short procedure. The oral surgeon opens the gums and precisely drills holes into the jawbone at the implant sites. The titanium implants are then inserted into the holes, where they will fuse with the bone over the next few months.
Healing and Osseointegration
You can usually return to normal activity the next day. Over the next three to six months, the jawbone will heal around the implant in the osseointegration process to firmly anchor it in place. You’ll return for periodic check-ups to ensure the implants are integrating properly.
Crown Attachment
Once healed, your implant dentist will attach a custom-milled crown to each implant. With the crowns in place, your implant restoration is complete and you can enjoy a fully functional, natural-looking smile.
What are restoration options for dental implants?
One or more dental implants can support various tooth replacement solutions:
- Single Crown: When one tooth is missing, a crown can be attached to a single implant. This standalone implant crown mimics the look of a natural tooth.
- Fixed Bridge: Multiple missing teeth in a row can be replaced with a fixed bridge attached to implants on the ends. The bridge spans the gap with artificial teeth fused between.
- Removable Overdenture: For people missing all teeth in an arch, implants can anchor and stabilize a removable denture for enhanced comfort and function.
- All-on-4®: Patients with severe tooth loss can receive a full-arch restoration on just four to six strategically placed implants. The All-on-4® technique provides an instantly fixed set of implant teeth.
How is the Recovery after Dental Implant Surgery?
Recovery from a dental implant procedure is typically smooth and well-tolerated. Any discomfort can be managed with prescribed pain medication. It is normal to experience some minor swelling and temporary dietary restrictions, such as sticking to soft foods for a few days. Our team will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions to ensure a successful recovery.
Choosing dental implants is an investment in your long-term oral health and quality of life. They provide a durable and natural-looking solution that can last a lifetime with proper care. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing you with personalized care, ensuring your comfort, and delivering exceptional results.
Caring for your implants at home ensures their long-term success. Be sure to:
- Brush twice daily and floss around the implant crowns to remove plaque
- See your New Jersey dentist for periodic exams and professional cleanings
- Avoid hard foods and chewing ice to prevent crown damage
- Quit smoking, as this can hinder the implant-fusing process
With proper oral hygiene and follow-up care, your implants can serve you well for decades.