Dental Implants – Columbus, NJ

What Are
Dental Implants?

A dental implant has three components: a small cylindrical post, a restoration (which could be a crown, bridge, or denture) and an abutment that connects the two. The implant post – made from titanium, zirconia, or ceramic – is surgically placed in the jaw. Because of the biocompatible nature of these materials, the implant fuses to the jawbone. This allows it to support any number of replacement teeth with a stability that rivals that of your home-grown pearly whites. Better yet, dental implants can last for 30+ years with good oral care.

The 4-Step Dental Implant Process

Depending on the details of your situation, the dental implant process may take several months to a year or longer. However, trust us when we say this solution is worth waiting for! To ensure you receive high-quality care, Dr. Fraser works with the best periodontists and oral surgeons in the area. She’ll walk you through the process during your appointment, but here are the four basic steps:

1. Initial dental implant consultation – Dr. Fraser examines your smile and evaluates your candidacy for dental implants.
2. Dental implant surgery – We refer you to a trusted specialist who surgically inserts the implants into your jaw.
3. Dental implant osseointegration/abutment – The implants merge with your jawbone over three to six months. Then, metal attachments called abutments are secured on top of your implants.
4. Delivery of dental implant restoration(s) – We place your customized dental crown, bridge, or denture onto your abutments, completing your smile.

Benefits of Dental Implants

By replacing the root structure of a lost tooth in addition to its visible crown, dental implants provide a number of benefits that may not be immediately obvious. For example:

• The implant posts remain securely in your jaw, allowing you to chew with full force without worrying about your teeth slipping out of place.
• Your restorations are made from top-notch dental porcelain, which is an incredibly lifelike material.
• In more than 95% of cases, dental implants can last for several decades.
• Caring for implants is simple – just brush and floss as you would real teeth.
• Dental implants are the only tooth loss treatment that prevents the jawbone deterioration that occurs after teeth go missing.

Who Dental Implants
Can Help

In general, almost any healthy adult who is looking to replace missing teeth is eligible for dental implants. This treatment is versatile enough to restore any number of lost teeth. As long as you are in good oral health and have a strong jawbone (or are willing to undergo preliminary procedures if that’s not the case), then you can regain a complete smile! We can recommend a specific dental implant treatment plan based on the extent of your tooth loss.

Missing One Tooth

A single dental implant post topped with a porcelain crown can replace one missing tooth without altering the remaining teeth. This is a more conservative solution than a traditional dental bridge, which requires two of your natural teeth to be filed down in order to support the prosthesis. A dental implant renews the appearance and function of your smile without compromising any of your healthy tooth structure.

Missing Multiple Teeth

For patients who are missing multiple teeth in a row, an implant can be placed at each end of the gap to secure a dental bridge that is more reliable and durable than a conventional bridge. If your missing teeth are located at various points in the mouth, a small number of expertly placed implants can support a partial denture.

Missing All of Your Teeth

Even patients who have lost all of their teeth can benefit from dental implants. An average of four to eight posts are positioned in strategic ways throughout an arch to create enough support for a full denture. While traditional dentures can be loose and unreliable, implant dentures are just as stable as natural teeth. You can trust that you’ll be able to eat your favorite foods and smile without fearing that your teeth will slip.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

Because every treatment is different, the cost of dental implants varies from one patient to the next. Multiple factors have to be considered, including the number of implant posts you need, the type of restoration you’re getting, and any preparatory procedures required. Our team will work with you to find solutions for replacing your missing teeth without breaking the bank!

It’s worth mentioning that since dental implants can last a lifetime, they’re more cost-effective in the long run than bridges and dentures that must be replaced every decade or so. Combined with the numerous day-to-day and health benefits that dental implants provide, they’re definitely an investment worth making!

The 4-Step Dental Implant Process

Depending on the details of your situation, the dental implant process may take several months to a year or longer. However, trust us when we say this solution is worth waiting for! To ensure you receive high-quality care, Dr. Maiorino works with the best periodontists and oral surgeons in the area. She’ll walk you through the process during your appointment, but here are the four basic steps:

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

Dr. Maiorino examines your smile and evaluates your candidacy for dental implants. During this appointment, you can expect that she will use diagnostic imaging in combination with a visual examination to determine the state of your teeth, gums, and jawbone. If no signs of tooth decay, cavities, gum disease, or jawbone deterioration are evident, you will be cleared for oral surgery. However, if your mouth is not healthy enough to support dental implants, you will be recommended for gum disease treatment, tooth extraction, bone grafting, a sinus lift, or ridge augmentation, depending on your needs.

Dental Implant Surgery

We refer you to a trusted specialist who surgically inserts the implants into your jaw. This process involves receiving local anesthesia to numb the areas of your mouth that will be receiving the dental implants. They will then place each implant into the corresponding location after creating one or more incisions in the gums. Once placed, they will close the gum tissue and place protective healing caps over the implants before sending you home to recover.

Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment

When returning home from your procedure, you’ll have a set of guidelines to follow to ensure a healthy recovery. During this time, the implants merge with your jawbone over three to six months in a process known as osseointegration. This must be completed before you move on to the next step, which is to receive your metal abutments. These are small attachments that are secured on top of your implants. They help to hold your customized restoration in place once it is secured.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations

We place your customized dental crown, bridge, or denture onto your abutments, completing your smile. You will notice that your restoration looks just like your natural teeth, allowing it to fully blend in with your smile. After a few days, you’ll begin to notice the difference these implants make when it comes to eating, speaking, and smiling. Not only will they look like your normal teeth, but they’ll function just like them as well.