Missing teeth lead to many increased problems, including facial sagging, difficulty biting and chewing, increased speech issues, and gaps in the smile. While traditional restorations enhance the appearance of the smile, they may not address all missing teeth problems.
Dental implants are known as the gold standard for replacing missing teeth. Implants consist of titanium posts and abutments that secure restorations like crowns, bridges, or dentures. Because of their high-quality materials and placement in the jaw bone, dental implants are the only restorative dentistry treatment that provides a long-lasting solution for patients with one or all of their teeth missing. Patients who receive implant-supported restorations benefit from improved aesthetics and function. We provide dental implants in our Haddonfield and Marlton, NJ dental offices.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are sophisticated tooth replacement solutions that are unlike traditional dental restorations. The entire artificial tooth structure comprises of three parts. They replace any number of missing teeth that will feel, function, and look like natural teeth. Monokian Dentistry located in Haddonfield and Marlton, NJ offers many types of dental implants for patients missing one, multiple, or all of their teeth. The three parts of a dental implant restoration include:
Implant Post
A dental implant fixture is a small metal post that resembles a screw. Most implants are made from titanium since this type of metal can fuse to human bone. Titanium is also very durable yet lightweight.
Dr. Rebhun will surgically insert this part into the jawbone, where it will replace the missing teeth roots and support a dental prosthesis. The dental implant will fuse to the jawbone to create a durable, lifelike base for your new teeth.
Abutment
The abutment is the next part of a dental implant restoration. It is a tiny metal piece that your dentist will attach to the implant post. The purpose of the abutment is to connect the dental implant to the dental restoration.
There are several types of abutments available. The one you need depends on the dental restoration you are getting and how your dentist is securing it. For example, a dental crown abutment is different from the type of abutment we would use to secure dentures.
Dental Prosthesis
The prosthesis is the last part that your Monokian Dentistry dentist will secure. Your dental prosthesis will resemble and function like a natural tooth or teeth.
The type of prosthesis you need depends on the location and number of missing teeth you have. If you are missing one tooth then we will use a dental crown to replace that tooth. For multiple missing teeth, your dentist will restore them with a dental bridge or partial denture.
If you are missing all of your teeth, your dentist will restore them with a custom-made denture.
We offer dental restorations that are color-matched to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Single implants and implant-supported dental restorations offer many benefits. Dental implants:
- Offer long-lasting results
- Improve speech
- Create a natural look
- Keep adjacent teeth stable
- Support the natural bone
- Prevent further bone loss
If you have a removable restoration or have not received a restoration for missing teeth, feel free to ask us about your implant options. We can provide a single implant for one missing tooth or implant-secured dental bridges and dentures for multiple missing teeth.
Dental Implant Treatment
The process to get dental implants will take longer than traditional tooth replacement methods. It also involves several more visits to your dentist and invasive procedures. Be prepared for treatment to last anywhere from 5 months to over a year depending on the complexity of your case.
Consultation and Examination
Before treatment, you will meet with your dentist for a consultation. We thoroughly examine the teeth and gums of every patient to ensure they are in good oral health. In addition to a dental exam, we take digital X-rays and scans of the smile to determine implant placement and the type of restoration they need.
In some cases, patients will need additional work before they can receive dental implants. This is also determined during the exam. The dentist will create a thorough treatment that will ensure good results.
Additional Treatments (If Needed)
We will recommend bone grafting or a sinus augmentation if patients do not have enough healthy jaw bone to support their dental implants. These treatments add healthy bone tissue where they are needed. Our team may also recommend a tooth extraction treatment if patients have severely infected or damaged teeth.
Our dentists can offer treatment to remove gum disease and tooth decay before implant treatment to ensure that patients are in good health. Good oral health will ensure that your dental implants have a healthy environment to thrive and heal.
Placing the Dental Implants
Inserting the dental implants involves oral surgery. Before placing the implants, we use anesthetic to ensure that patients feel as comfortable as possible and do not feel any pain. Dr. Chad Rebhun will access the bone beneath the gums and create small holes in the bone for the titanium implant posts.
After the implant posts are in place, they will fuse with the jawbone over time. This healing process is called osseointegration. It can take three to six months for the implants to heal fully. In most cases, we will fit the patient for a temporary dental restoration.
Abutment Placement
Once osseointegration is complete, we will place the abutment on the implant. In some cases, we can do it at the same time as the implant placement. However, in most cases, it will require a second minor procedure to attach the abutments. After the abutment placement, patients will need an additional healing period of 2 weeks to 2 months.
Placing the Final Dental Restoration
We work with a local dental laboratory, Niche Dental Studio, to create dental crowns, dental bridges, or dentures. Our team takes digital impressions of patients’ smiles and sends them to Niche Dental Studio, where they will create the restorations out of tooth-colored materials. When the patient’s new dental restoration is ready, we secure it to the dental implants.
Restore Missing Teeth with Dental Implants in Marlton or Haddonfield, NJ
Are missing teeth impacting your oral health? Ask us about dental implants. Call our Marlton dental office at 856.983.9620 or request a dental consultation online. You may also contact our Haddonfield office at 856.429.0404 or schedule a dental appointment online. Please let us know if you have any questions about implants and we will be glad to help you.