Dental Implants – Medford, NJ
A Permanent Smile for a More Confident You
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 Medford Dental Arts 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!
Why Choose Medford Dental Arts for Dental Implants?
- CT/Cone Beam Scanner for High-Resolution Imaging
- Customized Implant Restorations for Beautiful Results
- Start-to-Finish Implant Placement
What Are Dental Implants?
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.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
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.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
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.
Dental Implant Surgery
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.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
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.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations
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!
Benefits of Dental Implants
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.
Day-to-Day Benefits
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:
- Restore Bite Force: Your bite force can be restored by 80% or even more. This is much more than you can experience with dental bridges and dentures.
- Easy Maintenance: You care for implants the same way you care for natural teeth. Brush, floss, rinse, and see your dentist for regular checkups.
- Increased Confidence: You don’t need to worry about visible gaps in your smile or ill-fitting dentures slipping around.
Health Benefits
By getting dental implants, your health will be positively influenced. Here are just some of the benefits that you will experience:
- Improved Oral Health: This means a lower risk of cavities, gum disease, infection, and additional tooth loss. None of your natural teeth need to be altered for this restoration either.
- Better Overall Health: Having excellent dental health has a positive influence on your overall health. It even lowers your risk of serious medical problems, like diabetes and heart disease.
- Prevents Bone Loss: When you’re missing teeth, jawbone deterioration will follow. Dental implants stimulate the jawbone just like natural tooth roots to keep it strong.
Long-Term Benefits
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:
- Implant Success: Dental implants are very successful with a success rate of over 95%. Your chances of experiencing an implant failure are very low.
- Permanent: Dental implants can last upwards of three decades with proper maintenance.
- Save Money: You no longer need to worry about stocking up on adhesives or soaking solutions. There won’t be frequent repairs or replacements either. Dental implants also reduce your risk of many oral health issues, so you are less likely to need costly treatments that will add up over time.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Nearly any adult who is suffering from tooth loss is a candidate for dental implants. So, if you are ready to have a complete and confident smile again, you shouldn’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our team at Medford Dental Arts! In the meantime, you can read on to learn the qualities that we look for in a good candidate as well as the different types of dental implants that we offer.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
A good candidate for dental implants:
- Has a jawbone that’s strong enough to support them
- Has healthy, infection-free gums
- Is committed to taking good care of their smile
- Is willing to break harmful habits, like smoking
If you require a preliminary treatment, like bone grafting, periodontal therapy, or even tooth extraction, you can expect our team to help streamline the process. That way, the road to a healthy and beautiful smile is as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Missing One Tooth
If you are missing a tooth, but the rest of your teeth are healthy, then we will likely recommend a single dental implant to recreate a fully functional smile! The first step is to place the implant into the open space and allow time for it to fuse with your jawbone. Then, we will secure a custom dental crown on top with an abutment. In addition to restoring your bite force, this will give you your full, confident smile back.
Missing Multiple Teeth
Missing 3-4 teeth consecutively usually requires a traditional dental bridge. While there are several benefits that come with this restorative treatment, there is also a downside: it requires the teeth surrounding the gap to be altered. Fortunately, we have another option: an implant bridge! In this case, we place a dental implant in the exterior sockets and attach an implant bridge to fill in the gap. This eliminates the need to alter healthy, existing teeth.
Missing All Teeth
You might initially assume that your only option is traditional dentures. That’s not the case! If you don’t have any of your natural teeth left, then we can place between four and eight dental implants throughout the arch. Then, we can secure a customized denture on top. This method of treatment offers more security and functionality than a traditional denture and doesn’t require messy adhesives.
If you are interested in learning more about the different types of dental implants that are available, including which one we recommend for you, then don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with us! The sooner you do, the sooner we can begin the process of restoring the health of your smile and the strength of your bite.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
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.
Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants
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.
Make Oral Hygiene a Priority
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 dental office every six months for a checkup and cleaning, flossing each night before bed, and replacing your toothbrush every three months or so.
Stick to a Well-Balanced Diet
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.
Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools
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!
Protect Your Dental Implants
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.
Schedule Regular Dental Checkups
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.
