Dental Implants — Marlton, NJ
Get a Smile That’s Worth a Thousand Words
Dental implants are the preferred way to replace your missing teeth, and it’s easy to see why that is. Some tooth replacement solutions only give you back the visible portion of your teeth — but the supportive root structures of your teeth are necessary to maintain optimal oral health. That’s why dental implants in Marlton, NJ are considered the gold standard of tooth replacement. Whether you’ve lost one tooth or a full row of teeth, contact South Jersey Center for Dental Medicine to schedule your consultation with our experienced implant dentist Dr. Sandberg today.
Why Choose South Jersey Center for Dental Medicine for Dental Implants?
- Partnered with Dr. Sandberg, a Trusted Local Implant Specialist
- High-Quality and Natural-Looking Restorations
- Dentist with 30 Years of Experience
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth that is surgically inserted into the jawbone. Instead of sitting on top of the gums, it’s designed to replace the entire missing tooth structure from the root up to the visible chewing surface. Because dental implants are made of biocompatible titanium, they’re able to bond with the surrounding bone tissue over time. Once fully healed, they can support a personalized restoration like a crown, bridge, or denture. You’ll end up with teeth that look and feel completely natural!
The 4-Step Dental Implants Process
Dental implants require a unique, multi-step process, including a surgical procedure. The entire process can take several months, but the results are well worth the wait! Dental implants replace the roots of the missing teeth, allowing patients to experience additional benefits than what you can get with traditional dentures and dental bridges. While every treatment is unique, everyone can expect these four main steps.
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!
Benefits of Dental Implants
Using your neighboring teeth to anchor tooth replacements like fixed bridges and removable dentures can lead to future problems. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about those issues with dental implants in Marlton. Three major advantages of implant dentistry are:
- Dental implants are free-standing and don’t involve altering or stressing adjacent teeth.
- Dental implants can’t get cavities since they are composed entirely of titanium.
- They preserve the jawbone around the dental implant. Bone often shrinks (resorbs) when the damaged tooth is removed but implants preserve the bone.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Once the dental implant is placed and has fused with the jawbone, you will return to our dental office where we’ll attach the prosthetic tooth or teeth. One or more dental implant posts can be used to support any number of replacement teeth, from a single dental crown to a full arch denture. Depending on the extent of the tooth loss, our implant dentist may recommend a number of tooth replacement solutions including:
- Single tooth: To replace a single tooth, we will place a dental implant post and attach a dental crown.
- Multiple teeth: Numerous consecutive and nonconsecutive teeth can be replaced by attaching a permanent bridge or partial denture to dental implant posts.
- Full arch: A full denture can be secured with two to four to six implant posts.
Dental Implant FAQs
How Can I Tell If My Dental Implant Is Failing?
Dental implant failures are exceptionally rare. However, they can still happen on occasion. Some common signs that could indicate a dental implant failure include severe pain around the implant, inflamed or swollen gums, or a feeling that your dental implant is loose. If you notice any of these signs, there still might be time to save it. Give us a call right away so we can examine your implant and take action.
Am I Too Young to Get Dental Implants?
Most dental professionals will not place dental implants in patients who are younger than 18. This is because if dental implants are placed before the jaw is finished growing, it could interfere with further bone development and result in complications. Most people’s jaws aren’t fully developed until young adulthood. During your consultation, we will examine your smile and discuss whether or not dental implants are the right solution for you at this time.
How Long Does Dental Implant Surgery Take?
This depends on how many dental implants you are having placed. On average, placing a dental implant takes between one and two hours. This includes the time that is needed to administer anesthesia and dress you for a sterile surgical atmosphere. During your consultation, we can give you a more accurate estimate so you can plan for the day accordingly.
Will People Be Able to Tell That I Have Dental Implants?
Your customized replacement teeth are crafted based on impressions that your dentist takes of your mouth. Once your restorations are placed, no one should be able to differentiate them from your natural teeth. Because dental implants are placed in the jaw like tooth roots, you don’t need to hold your jaw in a strange position to keep them in place like you might have to with poorly fitting dentures.
How Soon After a Tooth Extraction Can I Get Dental Implants?
In some cases, if the jawbone is strong enough, dental implants can be placed right away. However, dentists usually recommend waiting three to six months for the mouth to heal. Waiting longer than this can cause the jawbone to shrink due to a lack of stimulation from the tooth roots. The answer to this question will ultimately depend on the specifics of your case. We will discuss this with you during your consultation.