Dental Implants
If you have a tooth that needs to be replaced, or a porcelain crown, dental bridge, or denture that will not stay in place, dental implants can be a life-changing solution. Aesthetic Smiles of New Jersey is pleased to provide patients with dental implants, one of the most advanced treatments in restorative dentistry. Implants anchor artificial teeth directly to the jawbone so that they stay securely in place, providing a result that is indistinguishable from natural teeth.
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is composed of three parts: a tiny titanium post, a metal ball on top of the post, and a rubber O-ring. The titanium post is surgically inserted into the jawbone, where it serves as the “root” of the missing tooth. The metal ball rests on top of the gumline. The artificial tooth is affixed to the ball in ball-and-socket fashion. The O-ring rests between the artificial tooth and the gums, acting as a cushion. The resulting apparatus holds artificial teeth securely in place.
What are the benefits of Dental Implants?
Because of the many benefits of implant dentistry, when appropriate, our experienced dentists in New Jersey and our in-house periodontist recommend them to our patients seeking a solution for missing teeth. With dental implants, you can eat, laugh, and speak with confidence and enjoy more of your favorite foods. Implant-supported restorations require minimal maintenance, since they are subject to less wear and tear. Implants also maintain the integrity of the jawbone and bite, since they do not rely on support from the surrounding teeth.
Dental implants can often serve as an effective alternative to traditional dentures. They are designed to actually mimic both the appearance and function of a natural tooth. Dental implants do not require adhesives to stay in place; they require no additional maintenance other than regular oral hygiene routines; and their fit and appearance should be so natural that you may have difficulty telling them apart from your original teeth.
If you would like more information on the benefits of dental implants, contact Aesthetic Smiles of New Jersey today. We can schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our dentists to discuss how you may benefit from this remarkable treatment.
What makes an ideal candidate for Dental Implants?
The ideal dental implants candidate is someone with strong jawbone density who is interested in a natural-looking solution for missing teeth or tooth replacement. However, different types of dental implants or teeth replacement options are available to accommodate each patient’s individual needs depending upon his or her gum health and jawbone strength. In addition to adequate jawbone density in the area of missing teeth, good candidates for dental implants are typically those who:
- Are not currently suffering from gum disease. If you are diagnosed with gum disease, the condition can often be treated prior to the dental implant procedure.
- Are not suffering from certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, that may interfere with the healing process after implant placement.
- Are not currently undergoing radiation or chemotherapy treatment.
The field of implant dentistry has seen many advances over the years, and individuals who have been told in the past that they were not candidates for dental implants may well be candidates today. The best way to determine whether this procedure is an option for you is to have an oral evaluation and consultation. One of our dentists will be happy to talk with you about your needs and goals.
What are my Dental Implant options?
There are a full range of dental implant options that can address a variety of concerns. This versatile procedure can be effective for patients with a single missing tooth, an entire row of missing teeth, and for those who simply want to enhance strength and stability to traditional dentures. Dental implant options include:
Single Tooth Implants
If you are missing just one tooth at any location in your mouth, a dental implant can replace it. Even if a missing tooth is toward the less visible area of the mouth in the back, a dental implant can be necessary to prevent bone loss and improve oral health. A single dental implant can significantly improve oral function and have a remarkable effect on the aesthetics of your smile.
Multiple Teeth Dental Implants
Dental implants can be particularly beneficial for patients who are missing several teeth in one area or various areas along the gums. In fact, the entire upper and lower arches can often be replaced with dental implants. This can provide a dramatic improvement for an individual’s ability to chew and speak, and result in complete smile rejuvenation. Multiple teeth dental implants offer a durable, secure alternative to traditional dentures, yielding results that can both look and feel natural.
Implant Supported Dentures
Implant supported dentures offer a state-of-the-art alternative for patients who may not be candidates for a full set of dental implants, as well as for those who are simply looking for more stable dentures. Just a few precisely placed dental implants can provide a secure base of support for dentures, significantly reducing the potential for slippage and movement along the gums. With this solid foundation, implant supported dentures eliminate the need for messy adhesives and denture pastes to keep them in place.
How is the Dental Implants procedure performed?
Whether you are seeking single-tooth or full-mouth restoration, you can expect top-notch, compassionate care by our team. We utilize a team approach to provide comprehensive implant dentistry services, short of implants surgery. Our dentists provide the initial diagnosis, fabrication of the implant, and placement of the artificial tooth (including overdentures). We refer patients needing placement surgery to an esteemed oral surgeon or aesthetic periodontist.
The dental implant procedure will generally be performed in different segments over several months depending on each patient’s healing process. Initially, a durable titanium post is inserted through the gums and into the jawbone under local anesthesia. A temporary crown is then attached to the tip of the implant until the jawbone has had time to fuse with the post. Once the post and jawbone have bonded together through a process called osseointegration, a small connector is fastened to the post and the gums are allowed time to heal. When the gums have healed, a custom-made crown (colored and shaped for the most natural fit and appearance) is attached to the connector to provide the finishing touch.
There is minimal recovery time and any soreness or discomfort between procedures can be alleviated with general pain medication. Patients are typically able to eat and drink immediately following the final procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Dental implants require no extra maintenance other than regular cleaning and flossing.
Unlike dentures, dental implants are permanent and should never need to be replaced when taken care of.
Dental implants are natural-looking and can be hard to distinguish from natural teeth. Because each implant is shaped, colored, and aligned to match the surrounding teeth, most people will not be able to notice.
No foods or beverages need to be avoided. With a healthy cleaning regimen, you may eat and drink as you did prior to having an implant.
The cost of dental implants varies from patient to patient, depending on the nature of their treatment plan. In general, factors that can affect the price of dental implants may include the number of teeth that require replacing, the number of implants utilized, and whether any prerequisite oral care—such as periodontal treatment or bone grafting—was necessary before the implant process. Once our dentists are able to assess your unique needs during a consultation, we will be able to provide you with a personalized quote of your procedure.
To learn more about the expenses associated with this premier tooth replacement procedure, as well as our financing options that can make the price of treatment more affordable, please visit our page discussing the cost of dental implants.
In some cases, a patient’s oral health, overall wellness, or bone structure may warrant an alternative treatment to dental implants. In others, individuals may simply prefer a more conservative restorative solution. Depending on your unique needs, Drs. Romano, Bizzarro, and Dunn can restore the integrity of a damaged or missing tooth with other state-of-the-art procedures designed to enhance tooth function while remaining aesthetically attractive.
Commonly, men and women who prefer another tooth replacement option can achieve the results they desire with dental bridges. Dental bridges are artificial teeth that can replace one or more consecutive teeth without the need for jawbone support or oral surgery. Utilizing a custom prosthesis fabricated to fill the span of an absent space, dental bridges are secured to healthy teeth on each side of the gap with dental crowns. The restoration is designed to fit comfortably and indistinguishably within your bite and smile for enhanced beauty, as well as improved functional support.
Additionally, severely weakened or decayed teeth can typically be restored with dental crowns, which are strong dental coverings placed over the tooth body to protect, strengthen, and reinforce damaged enamel. At Aesthetic Smiles of New Jersey, our dentists utilize cutting-edge iTero™ technology to achieve the most precise fit possible for your dental crowns. Furthermore, the crowns can be conveniently manufactured in our offices on the same day as your visit.
Our dentists are well-versed in a wide range of restorative treatments and can help determine the best solution for your concerns. To learn more about our same day dental crowns or other reconstructive procedures that we offer, please reach out to our practice.
As an advanced restorative treatment designed to produce long-term results, it is essential to select a well-qualified dentist to plan and conduct your implant procedure. In taking measures to ensure you are under the care of someone capable of achieving your treatment goals while accommodating your needs, keeping the following considerations in mind may help guide your search:
- Select a dentist extensively experienced in restorative care. Research their educational background, as well as the focus of their training, to determine whether they are well-trained in reconstructive dentistry.
- Explore a prospective dentist’s smile gallery to see the potential results of what can be achieved. While examples of their previous work can often be found on a practice’s website, asking to see dental implant before-and-after photos during a consultation can give you a more accurate overview of the possible outcome of treatment.
- Find online dentist reviews of previous patients who have undergone the implant procedure. This can give you insight into the treatment process and help you gauge the levels of patient satisfaction associated with dental implants.
- Make sure you feel confident in your dentist’s abilities to achieve the outcome you desire. A consultation can be invaluable to assessing the quality of your care, as it can provide the opportunity to meet your dentist in person and assess whether you feel comfortable entrusting them with your implant treatment.
Aesthetic Smiles of New Jersey is pleased to provide dental implants – a life-changing option for patients needing to replace a missing tooth. For more questions about dental implants, or information on other reconstructive or cosmetic dentistry procedures, please contact our practice to schedule a complimentary consultation or speak with our experienced staff today.
