Dental Implants – Jersey City, NJ
Replace Your Missing Teeth – Roots and All
Traditional dental bridges use your natural teeth for support while dentures rest on your gums. Dental implants, on the other hand, can go one step further and act as new tooth roots. Not only does this make them stronger and more stable than other tooth replacement options, but it also means they offer various benefits that you wouldn’t see with other treatments. Set up a consultation at AV Dental Associates of Jersey City so that Dr. Arash Vahid can help you determine whether or not dental implants in our Jersey City, NJ dental office are right for you.
Why Choose AV Dental Associates of Jersey City for Dental Implants?
- In-House Implant Placement
- Full Mouth Dental Implants Available
- State-of-the-Art Technology
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are durable, natural-looking prostheses that replace lost teeth. An implant is a small titanium post that is compatible with the oral tissues and bones that integrates into the jaw, and it acts as the missing root while supporting an artificial crown.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
Since dental implants need to be surgically placed, the process of getting them can take several months. That might seem like quite a while, but you’ll be able to see that it was time well-spent once you experience the benefits of your new smile! There are four main phases of getting dental implants. To help you familiarize yourself with the process, here is a sum-up of what you can expect to happen during each step.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
Are dental implants right for you? Can you have them placed right away, or will you need a preparatory procedure like a bone graft first? The only way to have these questions answered is to schedule a dental implant consultation. Our team will determine the number of teeth that must be replaced, check the bone density levels in your jaw, and identify any oral health issues. Once the necessary information has been gathered, we can start planning the rest of the dental implant process.
Dental Implant Surgery
You won’t have to drive to an unfamiliar practice to receive dental implants from a specialist you barely know; our team at AV Dental Associates of Jersey City can perform the procedure right here. The surgery involves opening your gums and inserting the implant posts into your jawbone. The procedure will be very carefully planned; we’ll know ahead of time exactly where your dental implants need to be placed and at what angle.
Once we’re sure that your implants are in the proper positions, we will suture your gums shut. A small cap will be attached to each post to keep them safe.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
Dental implants can fuse with your jawbone, but the process that allows them to do so – also known as osseointegration – can take as long as six months. You’ll receive instructions for taking care of your smile until the healing process is complete.
Successful osseointegration is followed up by abutment placement. With dental implants, the term “abutment” refers to a connector piece that allows us to anchor a prosthesis to the post. Abutments are placed via surgery, so your mouth will need a few weeks to recover afterward.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)
An impression of your mouth is captured once the implant posts have received their abutments. It normally takes a few weeks for a dental lab to create your prosthesis, which will be a crown, a bridge, or a denture. Great care will be taken to design your replacement teeth in a way that makes them practically indistinguishable from your real teeth.
When we get ready to attach the prosthesis to your dental implants, we’ll double-check to see if any adjustments need to be made. Then it’s a simple matter of anchoring it to the posts and putting the finishing touches on your dazzling new smile!
Dental Implant Failure & Salvage
Dental implants are successful in the vast majority of cases. However, due to infection or other sad circumstances, they can fail in rare instances. If you ever believe something is wrong with one of your implants, do not hesitate to contact our team. We will examine your mouth, identify the cause of the problem, and do all we can to get the health of your restored smile back on track in a conservative and efficient manner.
Dental Implant Failure & Salvage
Benefits of Dental Implants
If you don’t already know, dental implants are pretty popular as tooth replacements. It’s to the point that dentists nationwide place 500,000 of them yearly. As for why they’re so well-liked, much of the reason lies in their amazing upsides. These prosthetics have special features due to their fusing directly with your jawbone. In fact, we at AV Dental Associates can tell you about them. So, just keep reading to learn the benefits of dental implants in Jersey City.
Day-to-Day Benefits
Perhaps obviously, the most noticeable benefits of implants are the day-to-day ones. Such perks include the following:
- A Beautiful, Full Smile – Because implants are capped with dental crowns, they look gorgeous and blend seamlessly with surrounding teeth. In other words, they both restore your full smile and help it look prettier.
- Easy Eating – Since implants fuse with your jawbone, they restore much of your bite force. Consequently, they give your jaw the strength to chew all your favorite tough foods.
- High Confidence – By removing your unseemly smile gaps, implants boost your confidence and help you feel less insecure. That change in attitude can then strengthen your relationships.
- Low-Maintenance Results – Overall, you can maintain implants as you would natural teeth. Namely, simply brush them twice daily, floss between them once daily, and rinse them often with mouthwash. So long as you do so, they will last a while.
Health Benefits
Of course, implants’ advantages cover more than simply day-to-day living. They also take the form of solid health benefits. In particular, these are:
- Improved Oral Health – Truthfully, gaps between teeth are breeding grounds for harmful germs. As implants fill these gaps, they thus reduce your odds of oral health problems.
- A Strong Jawbone – If you don’t treat tooth loss quickly, your jaw will erode and weaken. However, implants can reverse this process by stimulating your jawbone.
- No Sensitivity – Compared to dentures or bridges, implants don’t rub against other teeth or gum tissue. Consequently, they don’t irritate your mouth or cause pain.
Long-term Benefits
Perhaps most crucial to implants are their various long-term benefits. Among them, the most noteworthy ones are perks like:
- Low Failure Risk – Assuming placement is successful, implants don’t often fail early. Their success rate ten years after the initial surgery is over 95%!
- Long Treatment Lifespan – On average, a dental implant will last roughly 15-20 years. A properly maintained one, however, can have a lifespan of 30 years or more. That means these restorations can potentially last a patient a lifetime.
- Cost-Effective Care – So long as you treat them well, implants save you money in the long run. Their long lifespan (see above) means they don’t incur high replacement or repair fees. Dentures and bridges, meanwhile, often need pricey follow-up care.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Almost anyone can be a candidate for dental implants as long as they are missing at least one tooth. After completing an examination of your mouth, our team can determine whether you’re a candidate for dental implant surgery and (if you are) start planning the treatment so that you can regain a complete smile. You can count on us to figure out how many dental implant posts you need as well as the type of restoration that they’ll have to support.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
One of the most important qualities of a viable candidate for dental implant surgery is having good overall health. Surgery is required to place dental implants in your jaw, so it’s important to confirm that your body is healthy enough for a smooth recovery process.
The current state of your mouth is also critical. Gum disease and other oral health issues can cause serious complications for your dental implants. As such, certain patients might need gum disease treatment or other preliminary procedures before they can have their dental implant surgery performed.
One last thing to keep in mind is that jawbone density can make a difference. Dental implant posts need a strong jawbone to give them support. A lack of bone can therefore be a significant obstacle to having dental implants placed, which is why bone grafting is often needed beforehand.
Missing One Tooth
In some cases, you may only have one tooth that needs to be replaced. An implant post can be inserted into the gap in your smile, and after a certain point, it will be ready to support a dental crown. Not only will the crown blend in with your other teeth, but the dental implant post itself will feel like a natural part of your smile.
Missing Multiple Teeth
It’s easy to guess that only one dental implant post is needed to replace a single tooth. But how many are required when multiple teeth are missing? In cases where three or more consecutive teeth have been lost, it may be possible to re-complete your grin with as few as two dental implant posts. Said posts can be used to support a lifelike dental bridge. Unlike the traditional type of dental bridge, an implant bridge can be placed without making permanent alterations to your remaining teeth.
Missing All Teeth
Combining dentures with dental implants allows you to replace all of your missing teeth at once without having to worry about the inconveniences that often come with a prosthesis that can potentially slip out of place. The exact number of implant posts needed to support a denture can vary, but oftentimes around 4 to 6 are used. Many implant dentures are fixed in place, which can simplify the process of caring for them since you will be able to brush them as if they were real teeth.
Learn More About Full Mouth Dental Implants
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
How much will you end up paying for dental implants? Naturally, you will want to have an answer to this question before the process truly begins. However, it is important to realize that the final cost is different for everyone. Before we can give you our estimate, we’ll need to examine your mouth and consider your needs. Then we will explain your options for rebuilding your smile at a price that works for your budget.
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
There are several procedures that may need to be performed in order to ensure that you’re a viable candidate for dental implant surgery, such as bone grafting. Each preliminary treatment will have a separate cost, which we will make sure you’re aware of.
As for the surgery to place the implant posts in your jaw, the price can vary depending on where the surgical site is located. Fortunately, we can handle dental implant placement in-office, which means you won’t need to pay a separate specialist for the procedure.
The Parts of Your Dental Implant
Of course, no discussion of the cost of dental implants is complete without a look at the actual implants themselves. Some of the most important factors that help determine how much you can expect to pay include:
- The number of implant posts required for the procedure.
- The type of restoration you receive (which could be a crown, a bridge, or a denture).
- The kind of material used to make the implant posts.
- The brand of implant used.
At your initial consultation, we can explain these factors in more detail to help you fully understand how we arrived at our estimate.
How Dental Implants Can Save You Money
You may be surprised to hear that dental implants could actually end up helping you save money in the long run. While they do cost more than other types of tooth replacement, they can also last much longer, meaning you don’t have to worry about paying for a replacement as often. It’s also worth noting that dental implants can potentially lower your risk of having to deal with costly oral health issues since they’re so easy to take care of.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
It’s important to clarify your coverage with your insurance company before you start the dental implant process. In many cases, the implant posts might not be covered, but your insurance plan may still be able to help reduce the amount you pay out-of-pocket for preliminary treatments and the final restoration.
Making Dental Implants Affordable
If you sign up for our AV Dental Discount Plan, you can have dental implants placed and restored at a reduced price. Furthermore, we’re happy to accept CareCredit financing so that you don’t need to pay the entire cost of your procedure all at once. Don’t be afraid to speak to our team about your financial options.
Dental Implants Post-Op Instructions
After you’ve received dental implants, your mouth will need time to recover. Naturally, you can count on our team to help you make sure that this process goes as smoothly as possible. We’ll provide you with a set of instructions regarding what you will need to do after your surgery. Below is a brief summary of some of the guidelines that you will be given; please let us know right away if you have any questions.
What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery
You will require time to rest after receiving your dental implants, so plan on heading home after the procedure. During the initial phase of the healing process, you will need to focus on protecting the blood clots that have formed at the surgical sites. This means avoiding anything that might dislodge the clots, such as drinking through a straw, touching the implant site, and spitting.
Common Side Effects When Recovering from Dental Implant Placement
There are a number of side effects that you can typically expect after dental implant surgery, such as:
- Discomfort that can be controlled with medication (which might be prescribed but can also be bought over the counter).
- Swelling that can be reduced by periodically holding a cold compress over the area.
- Intermittent bleeding that can be stopped by putting pressure on the area with a clean piece of gauze.
These symptoms should go away on their own as your mouth heals. If they persist or seem to grow worse, give our office a call immediately.
Your Diet After Dental Implant Surgery
Following your dental implant surgery, you’ll need to refrain from eating certain foods. Specifically, it’s best to avoid anything that’s particularly hard or crunchy. You’ll eventually be able to reintroduce more solid foods into your diet, but until then, you’ll need to stick to meals consisting of soft or liquid foods. Some examples of things that you can eat after dental implant surgery include:
- Scrambled eggs
- Mashed potatoes
- Yogurt
- Pasta
- Soups and broths that aren’t too hot
Post-Op Health & Oral Hygiene
Following your dental implant surgery, it’s important to keep your mouth clean in order to minimize your risk for infection. On the day after your procedure, you will be able to brush your teeth like normal, but don’t forget to be careful around the areas where the dental implant posts were placed in the jaw. Additionally, you should get in the habit of rinsing with salt water at least two or three times a day. Remember to pour the water out of your mouth instead of spitting once you’re finished.
What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached
The final crown, bridge, or denture will be attached to the implant posts after the mouth has finished healing. At this point, there may be some mild sensitivity, but you shouldn’t experience any swelling or bleeding. If unexpected symptoms do occur, don’t hesitate to call our team.
Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants
Dental implants are a long-term investment in your smile, but even after your restorations are placed, they need care to stay healthy and functional. At AV Dental Associates of Jersey City, we take pride in educating our patients, so they know the “why” and the “how” of oral care. Read more below to find simple tips to keep your dental implants looking and feeling great! You’ll see how simple habits like brushing, flossing, and regular checkups will help you enjoy a confident smile for a lifetime!
Make Oral Hygiene a Priority
A solid oral hygiene routine is one of the key ingredients to keeping your dental implants in great shape. So, brush twice daily for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, focusing on cleaning around the implant base.
You should also floss once a day to remove plaque from between your teeth. These areas are some of the most vulnerable, often hiding pockets of bacteria that can lead to gum disease—the biggest threat to the success of your implants.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Eating well is good for your body, but it’s also great for the health of your dental implants! A balanced diet that focuses on foods rich in calcium and vitamins, keeps your oral health in peak condition, leading to better success with your implants.
Try to eat plenty of leafy greens, dairy products, and lean proteins to get the nutrients you need to support your jawbone and gums! By contrast, try to limit the amount of hard, sticky, or sugary treats you indulge in as it can feed the buildup of bacteria and plaque.
Break Bad Habits
It’s common to have a few little habits you need to break, and there are certain ones that can damage your dental implants over time. To start, smoking and vaping can slow healing and increase the risk of implant failure, so it’s best to try to reduce your use or quit altogether.
Next, using your teeth as tools to open packages or chew on hard objects like ice or pens carries a real risk of implant damage. So, always use the right tool for every job, because while your implants are strong, they’re not indestructible!
Protect Your Dental Implants
Protecting your implants from damage is another very important aspect of their care and maintenance. For example, if you grind or clench your teeth, talk to our team about getting a custom nightguard to prevent unnecessary wear. If you’re regularly in contact sports, you should also consider wearing a mouthguard to shield your implants from impact. Taking reasonable precautions ensures your implants stay safe while you enjoy an active lifestyle!
Schedule Regular Dental Checkups
The last piece of the puzzle when it comes to taking care of your dental implants is regular dental checkups with our team. These appointments are critical for checking the condition of your implants, cleaning around their base, and looking for any signs of gum disease or bone loss. Seeing us every six months will also give you a chance to ask any questions you may have and receive personalized advice for your oral care.
Dental Implant FAQs
Before taking the first big step of restoring your smile and scheduling a consultation with our team, do you have important questions you’d like answered? We completely understand! Below, we’ve compiled a list of the most common questions we receive about dental implants in Jersey City, along with our answers. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to call our team directly.
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants are a relatively modern procedure, meaning there aren’t many long-term studies that show exactly how long they can last. However, the studies that are currently out there show that they can last up to 35 years and longer with the proper care, making them a life-long investment. This is why many patients choose to invest in this modern treatment over traditional prosthetics like dentures that need to be replaced every seven years, on average.
Are dental implants removable?
Dental implants are surgically secured within the jawbone like your natural tooth roots, so they aren’t removable. However, some types of prosthetics that can be attached to dental implants can be removable.
How successful are dental implants?
Dental implants boast an impressive success rate of over 95% after five years with professional placement. The success rate of your new smile will depend on a number of factors, like whether you follow post-op directions given by your implant dentist in Jersey City, and how well you maintain your oral hygiene.
What causes dental implants to fail?
The most common cause of dental implant failure is an infection called peri-implantitis. This is a form of gum disease that compromises the strength of the foundation of your dental implants by damaging the bone and gums.
Additionally, implants can fail due to them not properly fusing with the jawbone after they’re surgically placed. This can occur due to prolonged healing, which can occur due to teeth grinding, tobacco use, poor oral hygiene, and certain health conditions that impact your immune system.
What should I do if my dental implant feels loose?
If your dental implants feel loose, contact your dentist immediately. Sometimes, this can be caused by something as simple as an unsteady abutment, but other times this can be an early sign of implant failure. By visiting your dentist as soon as possible, you can maintain the health of your new smile and minimize any additional damage from occurring in the future.
