A restored smile can give you a boost of confidence! If you are missing one or more teeth, dental implants offer a solution for giving you back your smile! Dental implants replace a natural tooth with an artificial dental implant post and a dental crown that looks and functions like a natural tooth. Dental implants from our Medford, NJ dentist do not rely on any surrounding teeth for support, so they are made to last a lifetime! Our dental office specializes in restoring dental implants, so if you are looking for a custom-made dental crown to finalize your dental implant tooth replacement, call our dental office today!
Dental implants are small zirconia posts made to mimic teeth’s roots. Once surgically implanted into the jawbone, they fuse to form a solid foundation for the future restoration (i.e., crown, bridge, denture). The only tooth replacement solution capable of replacing the full root-to-crown structure, dental implants are the choice of millions of Americans who are no longer living with missing teeth.
A dental implant provides a replacement for your tooth with three main parts – the post, abutment, and dental crown. This process provides a secure restoration from high-quality materials. Everyone’s treatment looks a little bit different, but there are four steps each patient must experience to receive exceptional results.
The first step in getting a dental implant is a consultation with your implant dentist. The dentist will examine your smile, ensure you have sufficient jawbone to support the implant and discuss the best treatment plan for you. Some patients need to have preliminary procedures completed before they are able to get dental implants. If this applies to you, we will help you get this scheduled. Once your gums and jaw are in good shape, we will plan the rest of your treatment.
Getting dental implants requires a surgical procedure. We complete the entire dental implant process at our practice, so you don’t need to worry about working with a local specialist. Depending on how many you need, the desired number of zirconia implants will be surgically placed into your jawbone. Protective caps are placed over the end of the implants to keep them safe as the area heals.
During a 3-6-month period, you will recover at home and allow osseointegration to occur, which is the fusing of the implants and bone. This is what leaves your implants so stable, comfortable, and long-lasting. Once the area heals, you will need to undergo another small procedure in which we place small connecter pieces called “abutments” to the ends of your implants. Impressions are taken and sent to the dental lab so your restoration can be made.
The last step is receiving your customized crown, bridge, or denture. Once your customized replacement teeth are ready, you can return to the practice. We will secure them to your implants. If everything looks and feels great, you are free to leave with your new, complete smile!
It would be great if our teeth lasted a lifetime, but for many of us, this isn’t the case. Some people end up losing one or more of their teeth for a variety of different reasons. This can include decay, injury, gum disease, and more. Fortunately, dental implants can restore the roots and crowns of the teeth. Because of this, there are all sorts of benefits you can experience. Read on to learn more about the numerous advantages of choosing dental implants.
Dental implants feel identical to natural teeth once they have completely healed. You may even forget that they are there. Ultimately, you should be able to enjoy all of the same things you did before you experienced tooth loss. Here are some of the benefits that you can experience every single day:
By getting dental implants, your health will be positively influenced. Here are just some of the benefits that you will experience:
With dental implants, you are making a long-term investment in your smile. Here are some of the benefits that will affect you many years down the road:
Nearly any adult who is suffering from tooth loss is a candidate for dental implants. The only caveat is whether you are eligible to move forward with oral surgery right away or if you require preliminary treatments first. These can include bone grafting, periodontal therapy, or even tooth extraction. No matter your situation, you can expect our team to prepare your oral anatomy in a way that readily accepts dental implants.
A single dental implant can replace a lone tooth, filling in the gap to recreate a fully functional smile. Even one missing tooth can make eating and speaking hard, but with one zirconia implant, we can give you back your full, complete smile.
Missing two or more teeth usually requires a traditional dental bridge; however, we can, instead, place two dental implants into the exterior sockets and attach an implant bridge to fill in the gap. This eliminates the need to alter healthy, existing teeth.
When no natural teeth remain, we can place between four and eight dental implants before securing a customized denture on top. This method of treatment offers more security and functionality than a traditional denture and doesn’t require messy adhesives.
The cost of dental implants varies from patient to patient. No two cases are exactly alike, which is why a scheduled consultation with our team is essential. During this visit, we’ll evaluate how many dental implants you will need, the location of placement, the type of restoration you require, and if you need any preliminary treatments. We will create a formalized estimate, so you’re aware of the total cost. We’ll then work with you to establish ways to maximize your dental insurance benefits and help you get the most out of your plan.
Were you drawn to dental implants because of their long lifespan? If so, it’s important to prioritize good habits and break bad ones! If you’re not quite sure where to begin, then this next section is for you. Of course, if you ever have any questions about properly maintaining and caring for your dental implants, you’re welcome to give us a call as well.
Although your dental implants are impervious to decay, any natural teeth you have aren’t. Plus, without proper care, your gums can develop an infection. That’s why you need to commit to good oral hygiene habits throughout the entire treatment process and well after. A few examples include brushing for two full minutes, coming to our Medford office every six months for a checkup and cleaning, flossing each night before bed, and replacing your toothbrush every three months or so.
Remember, what you eat can negatively impact your oral health. For example, extremely crunchy foods, like hard pretzels, can cause your restoration to crack. Similarly, foods and drinks with lots of added sugar increase your risk of common oral health problems. So, if you want to keep your smile in tip-top shape, you need to stick to a well-balanced diet that’s loaded with nutrient-dense foods, like cooked carrots, bananas, and oatmeal.
Without even realizing it, you may use your teeth as tools. For instance, you may tear open plastic wrapping when the scissors aren’t close by or bite your nails instead of trimming them properly. Habits like these may seem harmless, but they can lead to noticeable chips and serious cracks. So, do your best to quit!
Basically, you want to protect your dental implants from immense pressure and unforeseen impact. That means not eating extremely crunchy foods, wearing a nightguard if you grind/clench your teeth at night, and wearing a mouthguard if you play sports (even non-contact ones). If you don’t have a nightguard/mouthguard (or you’re using a one-size-fits-all one that you bought online), schedule an appointment with us so we can have a custom one made for you.
Remember, even if your smile is now comprised entirely of dental implants, you need to schedule an appointment with us every six months. These routine appointments ensure that we can periodically examine the condition of your dental implants, conduct an oral cancer screening, assess the health of your gums, and remove built-up plaque and tartar before they wreak havoc on your oral health.
