Union dentist, Dentist in Union, NJ

Dental Implants

Dental implants are becoming more popular in today's dental society for a number of reasons. They have proven themselves over the last 25 years to be very reliable and safe. They are in fact often superior to some of the questionable teeth we sometimes try to "save". They do not decay and are not nearly as susceptable to fracture and periodontal disease as natural teeth. If properly placed and restored, they rarely fail or are "rejected"

  Implants are utilized to offer patients a foundation for new restorative teeth where natural teeth are missing or have been extracted.  The implant offers the patient the opportunity to regain normal function and esthetics of teeth which have been lost.

Dental implants can also be used to help hold  removable dentures much more firmly in place. 

Procedure

The tooth structure has two main sections, the root and the crown.  The root is the section of the tooth that is below the gumline.  A dental implant acts as the replacement of this section of the tooth.  The metal implant acts as an anchor in the jawbone. The first step of the procedure is surgical placement of the implant.  Under regular dental anesthetic, the gum tissue is opened and the dentist places the implant into the jawbone.  When this is achieved, the tissue is then sutured closed.  There is not often significant discomfort with this procedure.  This process can take from 1-3 hours depending on the number of implants being placed.

This implant will be left untreated for a period of 3-6 months. During this time, the bone will grow around the implant in a process called osseointegration.  A removable crown may be utilized during this time period to allow for chewing and to preserve the cosmetic appearance.

The next step in the process is to attach an abutment to the tooth.  This is achieved by exposing the top of the implant and placing the abutment.  This is the part of the implant that will support the final crown.

Finally, an impression is taken of the abutment and a final restoration (crown or bridge) is crafted.  This restoration will be comfortable and cosmetically pleasing.  Your completed implant will be fully functional, allowing you to resume normal activities.