Dental Implants — Marlton, NJ

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

The first step in the dental implant process is the initial consultation. During this time, we will examine your smile to see if you are a good candidate for this tooth replacement option. We will also discuss the goals you have for your smile. Sometimes, patients require preliminary procedures before they are able to move forward in the process of getting dental implants. This includes bone grafting, gum disease treatment, and tooth extractions. Once your jawbone and gums are healthy enough, we can move forward with your treatment.

Dental Implant Surgery

At South Jersey Center for Dental Medicine, we partner with local specialists to complete your dental implant placement procedure. This way, we can ensure that you are getting the best quality of care possible. The procedure will begin with numbing the area with a local anesthetic. A small incision is made into the gums to access your jawbone. The implants are placed at precise angles and locations. Then, the gums are closed. Finally, a protective cap is placed over the post. This cover has two purposes — it keeps the treatment site free from food, bacteria, and other debris as the dental implant fuses with the supportive tissues, while also maintaining the shape of the gum tissue so the restoration can be attached.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

Once the implant post is in place, patients will need to wait 3-4 months for us to attach their permanent restoration. During this time, the implant posts fuse with the gum and jawbone tissue in the process known as osseointegration. Then, you will need another minor procedure where the abutments are placed onto the implant posts. Impressions are taken so your restoration can be customized just for you.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration

The last step is to return to the dental office to have your restoration placed. This is your crown, bridge, or denture depending on the number of teeth you are replacing. We will examine your smile to make sure everything looks and feels as it should. Then, you will be sent on your way to reap the benefits of your complete smile!

Day-to-Day Benefits

Gaps in your grin can make once-basic tasks, such as eating, speaking, and smiling confidently, much more challenging. Getting dental implants in Marlton can enhance your daily life by:

• Restoring bite force. These teeth can return anywhere from 80% or more of your initial bite force, meaning there are very few dietary restrictions, so you can enjoy all your favorite foods.
• Boosted confidence. Your implants are capped with a customized, tooth-colored prosthetic designed to match your natural teeth, providing seamless results that enhance your self-esteem. Plus, you’ll enjoy peace of mind knowing they’re not likely to slip out of place or cause embarrassment.
• Easy maintenance. Caring for your implant is as easy as brushing and flossing twice daily, and visiting Dr. Vidya every six months for a checkup and cleaning.

Health Benefits

Unlike dentures or dental bridges, these restorations are surgically placed in your jaw for added strength and stability. As a result, they support your oral and overall health by:

• Preserving jawbone. Your jaw typically thins after tooth loss without roots to keep it active and healthy, resulting in sunken cheeks, facial wrinkles, and other changes. Dental implants prevent this process.
• Improved oral health. Because they’re so easy to keep clean, you’re less likely to develop common dental concerns, such as cavities or gum disease.
• Better diet. There are very few foods you can’t eat, so you can fill up on wholesome options that support your general and dental health.

Long-Term Benefits

Once your jawbone fuses with your dental implant, it is considered a permanent part of your smile, so you can enjoy the following long-term advantages:

• Reliable results. This procedure has an incredibly high success rate of more than 90%, meaning you’re unlikely to develop complications if you follow your post-op directions carefully.
• Resilient materials. The titanium post of your implant can potentially last the remainder of your natural life, and the ceramic restoration capping it often lasts 15 to 20+ years with the right care.
• Save on expenses. Although this treatment typically costs more upfront, there’s no need to invest in accessories like special flossers, adhesives, cleansers, pastes, or soaking solutions. Plus, it’s stronger than bridges or dentures, so you’re less likely to have to pay for expensive repairs or replacements over the years, which can save you money.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

There are a few qualities our dental implant dentist in Marlton looks for in a good candidate, including:

• Willingness to commit to healthy habits, like brushing and flossing consistently
• Healthy teeth and gums
• A strong jawbone
• Good overall health

Even if you aren’t a candidate for this tooth-replacement solution right away, don’t worry – there’s a good chance that we’ll be able to provide the necessary restorative care. Then, we can revisit dental implants and, if they are the best solution for you, discuss the different types available.

Missing One Tooth

Good news: we can replace a single missing tooth without altering the healthy teeth surrounding it! We do this by placing the implant directly into the jawbone. Then, after you’ve healed, you will return to our dental office where we’ll attach the prosthetic tooth. Since the restoration will be custom-made with your specific face shape, dental needs, and smile goals in mind, the final result will look and feel incredibly natural.

Missing Multiple Teeth

Numerous consecutive and nonconsecutive teeth can be replaced by attaching a permanent bridge or partial denture to dental implant posts. There are several noteworthy benefits that come with implant-retained restorations, including that they provide unmatched stability, help prevent bone loss, and can last for several decades with proper care. So, if you are struggling with moderate to severe tooth loss, dental implants may be the solution you’ve been looking for!

Missing All Teeth

If you are missing all of your teeth, you might assume that traditional dentures are your only option. That’s not the case! If we determine that you’re a good candidate for implant dentures, we can secure a full denture in place with two, four, or six implant posts. Not only will this restore some of the strength of your bite that you lost, but it will also give you a smile that makes you look and feel your absolute best.

Want to learn more about dental implants, including if you’re a good candidate? Let us know! We’d love to learn about you, your dental needs, and your smile goals to determine which tooth-replacement solution is best for you.

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

Handled in a specialist’s office, the placement surgery can cost various amounts due to the number of implants you’re receiving, whether you have sedation, as well as other factors. The specialist’s office can give you a more accurate estimate for your surgery. Prior to this procedure, you may require gum disease treatment or tooth extraction to prepare your mouth for implants. Overall, these procedures will add to the total you owe, and we can break down these costs for you during your consultation.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

Remember, implants consist of three basic parts: the post, the abutment or connector, and the restoration. Like most products, dental implant parts come in various brands that can offer unique features. Depending on your needs, the chosen type will best suit your smile, and that choice may influence the cost.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

Although dental implants do come with a higher price tag upfront, they sometimes prove to be the least expensive option overall. If you get traditional tooth replacements, you’ll have to pay every 5 years or so to substitute a new one. Those costs add up over time! In contrast, dental implants can last longer than 25 years without needing replacement. In the long term, implants could lead to significant savings or be equal to traditional bridges or dentures. In this case, why not get the greatest bang for your buck?

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

There may be some exceptions, but generally, dental insurance policies do not apply to dental implants. However, parts of the treatment may be covered. For instance, if you require preliminary work, like gum disease treatment, this procedure may be partially paid for by your insurance. The restoration is also most likely to be included in your benefits, reducing your out-of-pocket cost.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

Regardless of your insurance status, our team offers ways to keep your costs reasonable. If you don’t have dental insurance, you can join our oral health savings plan, which includes not only free preventive care but also a 10 percent discount on all other dental services. We also can break up the total amount you’ll pay into smaller monthly installments through financing with CareCredit or Wells Fargo Healthcare Advantage.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

Dental implants may not decay like enamel, but they do depend on a healthy mouth to function. Placing them near weak teeth or gums tends to make them unstable. In fact, a severe case of gum disease could loosen nearby implant posts. This issue would increase the risk of your new tooth failing or falling out.

Luckily, good oral hygiene tends to prevent such outcomes. Twice-daily brushing and once-daily flossing make oral issues less likely and reduce the threats to your implants. That way, the habits help your new teeth last longer and stay strong effectively.

Eat a Healthy Diet

While dental implants should let you eat as usual, junk food is still a danger to them. Sugary and sticky meals can wedge debris between your implant posts. As that happens, the pieces may result in nearby tooth decay or gum disease – conditions that often cause implant failure.

On the other hand, a mouth-healthy diet lets your dental implants thrive. Foods with calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin C are especially notable. When you get their nutrients, you strengthen your jaw’s bone tissue and lessen your odds of getting gum disease.

Break Bad Habits

Thanks to their sturdy materials, dental implants can endure a lot of forces and irritants. However, they’ll still fail or break if you practice really bad oral habits. Such actions put your restored smile at risk.

To be honest, various oral habits can cause implant failure. Just look at tobacco use – it delays your recovery from surgery and keeps the posts from working. Similarly, chewing fingernails, ice cubes, and pencils may break your implants’ porcelain surfaces.

Protect Your Dental Implants

While durable, dental implants will break when placed under intense pressure. You’ll want to act and protect them from injuries and incidents.

Perhaps the best way to defend your implant posts is using a mouthguard. With a special one for sports, you’d shield your teeth (natural or not) from accidents and collisions. Meanwhile, a nightguard would stop you from grinding your upper and lower arches at night. An ideal approach would be to get both appliances, as they’d work together to keep your implants safe.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

However much you may try, you can’t just care for dental implants on your own. This effort would regularly miss or overlook obstacles to your treatment’s success. For that reason, you should attend dental checkups and cleanings. These visits let us monitor your implants and assess their stability.

To be clear, dental checkups stand as top-tier preventive oral care. They prevent threats to your implants by diagnosing and treating your smile. With help from a trained and resourceful dental team, that effect is only natural. So, please get a checkup at least every six months or so.