Dental Implants Edison, Metuchen, & South Plainfield, NJ
dental implants? Look no further Than Gentle Dental in Edison, NJ!
If you’re missing a tooth, you’re not alone. The American Dental Association reports that over 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. This can be due to gum disease, excessive decay, or something like a sports accident. But failure to replace that missing tooth or teeth can lead to far more problems than a gap in your smile.
At Gentle Dental serving Edison, Metuchen & South Plainfield, NJ, we recommend replacing that missing tooth with a dental implant. It is by far the most effective replacement option, with the implanted tooth providing long-lasting function exactly like that of a normal tooth.
Dental implants are prosthetic replacements for missing or severely damaged teeth. This treatment option delivers an unprecedented level of patient satisfaction. Tooth implants provide a natural-looking appearance and long-lasting function. They are the gold standard for smile makeovers and dental restoration. If you have lost one or more teeth to fractures, gum disease or tooth decay, this procedure could bring back your beautiful smile. We provide surgical placement as well as the restoration of dental implants.
Why do I need to replace a missing tooth?
Missing teeth are more than an embarrassment in the form of a gap in your smile. Here are the problems created when a missing tooth is not replaced:
- The teeth adjacent to the missing tooth tend to slide over to fill the space. This is because there is no longer any pressure on the adjacent teeth to stay in place. This movement can change your bite and overall dental health.
- Biting and chewing create enormous force. This force is sent downward through the teeth into the jawbone below. It is this energy that signals the jawbone to keep regenerating new bone mass, keeping it healthy. When a tooth is missing, the jawbone beneath it doesn’t receive this energy and begins to deteriorate. Over time this deterioration can create a sunken appearance in the lower face.
- A missing tooth can make a person embarrassed about his or her smile, particularly if a front tooth is missing.
- A missing molar can inhibit chewing, keeping the person from eating certain types of foods.
- Missing teeth can create a whistling sound when a person speaks.
Benefits:
- Implants can be used to fully restore teeth that are too badly
damaged or decayed for repair with an amalgam filling, a porcelain inlay/onlay or a crown. - A dental implant restores normal chewing and biting ability. Most patients can resume a normal, healthy diet that includes a wide variety of foods after treatment is complete.
- Tooth implants offer a conservative solution compared to a traditional bridge. Only the tooth that is being replaced is affected. The teeth on either side of the missing tooth are not ground down and capped.
- Patients can opt to have one or several teeth replaced with implants. Dental implants can also support dentures. These implant-supported dentures tend to be more stable and comfortable than those held in place with adhesive.
- Replacing a missing tooth with an implant helps prevent other teeth from shifting out of alignment over time. Keeping teeth straight and even promotes better oral care. It makes proper brushing and flossing easier, which reduces the risk of cavities and gum disease.
- Since the prosthetic tooth is load-bearing (you can bite and chew with it), an implant may also help limit further jaw bone loss in the treated area.
- Long-term success rates with implants range from 90-95%. Many patients enjoy their dental implants for life with no need for replacement or repair.
Tooth Implant Process
Tooth implants rely on osseointegration to create a stable connection between a titanium implant and the jawbone. During osseointegration, the bone grows into direct contact with the implant, holding it firmly in place. Below you will find a brief overview of the treatment process provided by Gentle Dental’s Edison, NJ office:
- Consultation – This includes a full oral exam, medical history, x-rays and a CT scan. This information is used to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants as well as what size and shape of the implant to use.
- Preparation – If you have a tooth root in place, this is removed. The gum is opened slightly to expose the jawbone.
- Placement – A tiny hole is drilled into your jawbone and the titanium implant is screwed or fitted in place.
- Healing – This phase lasts 3-6 months. During this time, your jawbone heals around the implant.
- Abutment – A small metal post is attached to the implant and your gum is allowed to heal again (this recovery period is much shorter).
- Restoration – A custom fabricated porcelain crown that looks like your natural teeth are fitted to the abutment.
How are Dental implants placed?
At Gentle Dental we begin the implant process with your consultation. This includes a full oral exam, x-rays, and a CT scan. From this information, we can decide if your jawbone mass and density are right for implants. We use this information to also decide on the size and shape of the implant.
From there, the implant process involves four steps.
1. Placement — The implant gets its name from the actual portion anchored into the jawbone. This “implant” is made of titanium and is screw shaped. Once we expose the jawbone, we sometimes will drill a tiny hole to make room for the implant. Then the implant is screwed down into the socket that held the former tooth root.
2. Osseointegration — Now the implant has to become a part of the jawbone. This process where the bone grows around the implant is called osseointegration, and it takes from three to six months.
3. Abutment — Once the implant is firmly in the jaw, we attach a post, called an abutment, to it. Once placed, we allow the gums to heal for six additional weeks.
4. Crown — When the gums are ready, we attach the false tooth, called a crown, to the abutment. The tooth is made of porcelain and matches the shape and color of the surrounding natural teeth. No further recovery is necessary, and you’re good to go and enjoy your new tooth.
Dental Implant cost
This dental treatment generally has a higher up-front cost than traditional crowns and bridges. The restoration process also takes much longer. However, the investment in time and money can more than pay for itself with a reduction in dental interventions over your lifetime. Just be sure to practice excellent dental hygiene so you don’t lose more teeth!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I have An implant versus a bridge?
Am I a good candidate?
Can I use implants to anchor dentures?
How long do They last?
Do They require special care?
Read more about dental implants on our blog
If you have any questions about getting dental implants please feel free to give us a call at (732) 549-5660 or schedule a consultation appointment. We hope to be your practice of choice when looking for dental implants in Edison, Piscataway Township, New Brunswick, Metuchen, or Woodbridge Township, NJ!
