Dental Implants – Hammonton, NJ

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

At your initial consultation, we’ll use the latest technology to take a detailed look at your mouth as well as the relevant facial structures. This is necessary for figuring out whether or not you are a candidate for the dental implant process. In some cases, you may be able to move on to the next step right away; however, there are situations where bone grafting and other types of preliminary work may need to be completed before your jaw is ready for dental implants.

Dental Implant Surgery

Unlike other forms of tooth replacement, dental implants are surgically inserted into your jaw. Your comfort matters to us, so we’ll make sure your mouth is numb before we move forward with the implant placement procedure.

To access your jawbone, we will need to make an incision in your gums. After that, we can insert the implant posts. Note that the ideal position and angle for your dental implants will be determined ahead of time. Once we’re done placing the posts, the gum tissue will be sutured closed.   

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

Dental implants can only succeed if they’re able to form a lasting bond with the bone in your jaw. As such, we will need to allow three to six months for osseointegration to take place. To ensure that the process is successful, you will need to avoid exposing your dental implants to an excessive amount of pressure.

After osseointegration, we can attach an abutment to each implant post. The purpose of an abutment is to keep your artificial teeth anchored to the implants. Bear in mind that another surgery will need to be performed in order to place the abutments.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)

At this point, we can take impressions of your mouth so that we can design the final restoration that your dental implants will support. The type of prosthesis used can vary from patient to patient; some may only need a single crown while others might require a bridge or a denture. No matter what kind of restoration is needed, though, you can rest assured that it will be made out of high-quality, natural-looking materials.

The completed restoration will be attached to your implant posts during one final appointment. We’ll perform a quick last-minute check to ensure that there aren’t any problems with your bite; once we do, you can start enjoying all of the benefits that your new grin has to offer.

Day-to-Day Benefits

Many patients want to know what life is like with dental implants. They wonder how they look, feel, and function on a daily basis. Here are some of the ways your implants will immediately go to work for you:

• Boosted Confidence: As soon as your smile is restored, you’ll feel a difference in the frequency of your smiles. Dental implants look just like natural teeth, creating a seamless and aesthetically pleasing grin you can be proud of.
• Eat Your Favorite Foods: Traditional dentures limit your diet because of their lack of stability. However, dental implants are very sturdy and restore up to 70 percent of your biting and chewing capacity. This lets you eat all your favorite foods without worry!
• Prevent Speech Impediments: Missing teeth can change the air pressure in your mouth and your tongue placement when you pronounce certain words. This often leads to speech impediments like slurring or lisps. By keeping your smile intact, dental implants prevent these speech issues so you can communicate with confidence.

Health Benefits

Beyond day-to-day use, there are also many ways that dental implants can improve your mental, physical, and oral health, including:

• Improved Digestion: Chewing, the first step in the digestive process, is more difficult after tooth loss. Without proper processing in your mouth, large chunks of food can enter your digestive system. This can lead to issues like indigestion and acid reflux. Dental implants make chewing easier, preventing these issues.
• Easier Oral Hygiene: Crooked teeth and large gaps are an invitation for bacterial plaque and tartar buildup. Dental implants help keep your mouth tidy and easier to clean.
• Preserve Jawbone Health: After tooth loss, your jawbone begins the process of resorption, deteriorating over time. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that prevents this, helping you keep your smile intact.

Long-Term Benefits

Dental implants are one of the most successful treatments in dentistry, boasting a success rate of over 95 percent. This means you can expect to enjoy many long-term benefits, such as:

• Keeping Your Youthful Appearance: As your jawbone deteriorates over time from aging, your jawline and facial features will begin to collapse. This leads to a shrunken and hollow look that adds many years to the appearance of your face. Dental implants stop this process, helping you stay looking youthful longer.
• Preserving Tooth Alignment: After losing a tooth, the adjacent ones begin shifting to try to fill the gap. This leads to bite problems and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain. A dental implant will fill the gap, keeping your teeth in alignment.
• Saving Money: Dental implants can last for decades with proper care and maintenance. Over time, this will save you the money you might have otherwise spent on replacements for dentures and dental bridges that more easily wear out.

Missing One Tooth

A dental implant root can be placed into the jawbone and connected to a porcelain crown using something called an abutment. Unlike with a traditional bridge, single implants don’t require the adjacent teeth to be altered at all, better preserving someone’s natural dental structure.

Missing Multiple Teeth

For patients missing teeth throughout their mouth, implants offer plenty of options. Crowns can be placed anywhere, and a small number of roots can even be used to secure a partial denture. Just two implant “roots” can be used to give a patient a dental bridge that replaces up to three teeth in a row.

Missing All Teeth

It only takes four to six carefully placed implant roots to give a patient a rock-solid full denture. Compared to a traditional removable prosthetic, implant dentures are smaller, have a better hold, and can even help a patient recover much more of their natural bite strength.

Types of Dental Implants

There isn’t a set rate for dental implants because there are various factors that influence the cost, like the number of teeth you’re missing. Generally, if you’ve lost multiple teeth you can expect to pay more because you’ll require several posts, abutments, and restorations. We’ll provide you with a personalized estimate during your initial consultation and discuss the fees associated with your treatment.

What Are the Stages of Dental Implant Treatment?

Unlike other tooth replacement treatments, a dental implant requires a multi-step process to recreate the tooth from the root up. Each step in your treatment has its own cost. This can make it easier to pay for your new smile because you won’t need to cover the entire amount at once. Since it can take several months to complete your treatment plan, you’ll have more time to pay to make your procedure affordable. Although every plan differs, most patients can expect to pay for:

• Initial Consultation – Your implant dentist in Hammonton will perform a thorough consultation and review a CT scan to ensure you’re a candidate for dental implants.
• Additional Procedures – Many patients need additional treatments before their placement surgery, like tooth extractions, periodontal therapy, or bone grafting.
• Placement Surgery – Sedation or anesthesia is necessary as your implant post is surgically placed into your jawbone.
• Abutment – Every implant post needs an abutment to attach the restoration.
• Restoration – Your replacement tooth is custom-made from all-ceramic material.

Are Dental Implants Worth the Investment?

It’s true you’ll initially pay more for dental implants in Hammonton than other treatments, but they are more affordable overall. They are proven to last for decades with the right aftercare, so you’ll never need to pay to have them replaced. In addition, they also preserve your jawbone to improve your oral health to lower your long-term dental expenses.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Every policy is unique; however, most plans offer some coverage for dental implants after reaching your annual deductible. A member of our team will file the necessary claim forms to maximize your yearly allowance to lower the amount you need to pay out-of-pocket. We’ll help you find the solutions you need to cover any remaining balance to keep your new smile within your budget.

If you’re ready to replace your missing teeth,  contact our office  today to schedule your consultation for dental implants. We look forward to rebuilding your smile.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

One of the main reasons dental implants fail is peri-implantitis or an infection in the gum tissue surrounding your replacement teeth. This typically happens because of bacteria and plaque buildup around your smile due to poor oral hygiene. For this reason, you’ll want to stick to a good tooth cleaning routine every day. Simply by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing frequently with ADA-approved mouthwash, you can ensure your dental implants remain healthy for many years to come.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Since you’ll regain around 80% or more of your biting power with your new teeth, you won’t have to worry about holding back on your favorite foods. With the ability to munch on most types of meals, you’ll also be able to maintain a healthier diet, which will be essential for your dental implants. Be sure to stick to more nutritional options like fresh fruits and veggies, lean proteins, whole grains, and lean proteins to promote stronger gums and bone tissue. Avoid overindulging in sugary, acidic, or starchy treats that can increase the risk of developing harmful bacteria.

Break Bad Habits

Part of preserving your dental implants and natural teeth is to refrain from bad oral habits. These may include biting your fingernails, chewing or smoking tobacco products, and using your teeth as tools—all of which can cost you an emergency trip to your dentist. Don’t hesitate to consult our dental team if you need help quitting any of these habits, as we’ll be more than happy to offer the support, guidance, and resources necessary to make this process easier for you.

Protect Your Dental Implants

Do you usually grind or clench your teeth while you sleep? If so, then you might consider talking to us about nightguards for bruxism. They will allow you to rest easily as well as prevent wearing down your dental implants. If you tend to play contact sports where you can potentially take a blow to the face, then let us know. We’ll be able to recommend the best products to preserve your specific smile!

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

We highly suggest that you schedule routine appointments with our office for checkups and cleanings at least twice a year. This allows us to keep an eye on the condition of your dental implants and monitor your oral health for any developing issues. With early treatment, you’ll be able to avoid more serious issues from becoming bigger problems, such as gum disease, cavities, and infections.