Dental Implants – Edison, NJ

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

When you first arrive at our office, we’ll perform a detailed examination, which will involve a visual exam and detailed X-rays. Overall, your dental implant consultation will allow us to to discuss your wants, needs, and goals to figure out what role dental implants should play in your new smile.

Dental Implant Surgery

If we determine that you are a good candidate for dental implants, you’ll be referred to a handpicked oral surgeon or periodontist for the placement. We only partner with the best specialists in the area who have countless hours of experience performing this procedure, ensuring you enjoy the highest level of care.

Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment

Dental implants are made from biocompatible materials like titanium, which can safely integrate with your existing bone tissue. After the healing portion of treatment is completed (about 4-6 months on average), you’ll have your implant examined and the abutment placed. An abutment is a very small connector that provides a stable foundation for the permanent restoration.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations

At your final appointment, you’ll come back to our office to have the permanent restoration of your dental implant placed. This restoration may be a dental crown, dental bridge, or implant denture based on your needs. It will be made from tooth-colored ceramic materials and meticulously designed just for you, ensuring a truly lifelike appearance. Once attached, we’ll make any necessary modifications before you leave to guarantee that you are happy with your tooth replacement.

A Comprehensive Tooth Replacement

Unlike a fixed bridge, a dental implant will replace a missing tooth’s root as well as the visible crown. This comprehensive method promotes better oral and overall health by keeping the jawbone stable and preventing the loss of additional teeth. Plus, a whole-tooth solution looks more natural and makes it easier to eat a balanced, nutritious diet and speak clearly.

Preservation of Surrounding Teeth

Dental implants replace each tooth individually, but a fixed bridge requires removing tooth enamel from the adjacent teeth so they can be used as anchors for the prosthetics. This means that otherwise healthy teeth have to be fitted for a dental crown to replace those in between. When we can avoid affecting those healthy teeth, we definitely want to -- and that is why dental implants are often preferred.

A Long-Lasting Solution

Teeth retained by dental implants also last longer than non-implant tooth replacement options. That is because the jawbone retains its natural shape, ensuring that the crown, bridge, or denture will fit properly and securely in the years to come.

High Success Rate

Many estimates report success rates of over 95% after 10 years. That means when you decide to invest in dental implants, you can feel confident that you are choosing a predictable and successful replacement option -- and that peace of mind is worth so much!

Who’s a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

As mentioned before, nearly anyone who’s struggling with tooth loss can be a candidate for dental implants. However, there are some prerequisites you’ll have to meet to be eligible for the procedure:

• Good overall health: Since you’ll be undergoing oral surgery, we’ll need to confirm that you’re in good shape to have a successful recovery.
• Excellent oral health: Before dental implants can be placed your jawbone, we’ll need to ensure that you’re free of any underlying or developing oral health problems, such as decay or gum disease.
• Ample jawbone density: Your dental implants will rely on your jawbone for support, but not having enough bone tissue can risk treatment failure.

Missing One Tooth

Dental crowns can be used for restoring individual implants. The crown will be crafted from high-quality dental ceramic that’s seamlessly lifelike, and its placement attached to a single implant post will preserve the health of surrounding natural teeth.

Missing Multiple Teeth

An implant bridge, on the other hand, is designed to replace missing consecutive teeth. While a traditional bridge is anchored over adjacent natural teeth that have been reshaped to accommodate it, this modernized model is attached to two dental implants, one on either side of the gap, which is much better for the patient’s oral health.

Missing All Teeth

Implant dentures are another option for patients who want to replace a significant number of missing teeth with dental implants.

Fixed dentures are designed to permanently attach over four to six implants. As a result, they feel and function just like natural teeth and should be cared for in the same way as well.

Alternatively, if a patient is invested in maintaining their denture’s removable nature, they can receive an overdenture. While this prosthetic still attaches to four to six dental implants, it can be easily taken out of the mouth at home for simpler cleaning and convenient storage.

Learn More About Implant Dentures

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

In some cases, other dental treatments need to be completed before dental implants can be effectively placed. For example, if gum disease is present or additional teeth need to be removed to make room. We’ll do everything possible to give you the most accurate estimate upfront. We work exclusively with the best surgeons in the field and New Jersey area, providing a seamless transition to getting the implant restoration made by our office.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

The number of implants will be based on your desired outcome and guided by the condition of your bone/anatomy.

Final Dental Implant Restoration

Dental implants are sophisticated enough to be paired with many different types of dental restorations. This includes crowns, bridges, partial dentures, and full dentures. All restorations provided by our office will be fully tailored to blend in with existing teeth and look natural from top-to-bottom. Once you arrive for your permanent restoration, we’ll make sure that it fits exactly as intended and make any adjustments if needed.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Typically, dental insurance providers don’t offer coverage for dental implants, especially the implant post that’s surgically placed into the jaw. This is usually because dental implants are not seen as medically necessary. However, there are some exceptions worth taking note of. For example, preliminary treatments or the restoration that covers the implant could receive coverage. Our team has years of experiencing maximizing dental benefits to the fullest, including for treatments like dental implants. Just keep in mind that your plan will likely only cover a portion or percentage if it does provide coverage.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

Our office is happy to offer CareCredit, a third-party financing solution that lets you pay for implants in a way that is more gradual and customizable.

What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery

It’s important to follow your surgeon's aftercare guidelines in order for the implant post to successfully integrate with your jawbone and have the ability to last for decades. Make sure to AVOID:

• Drinking through a straw.
• Spitting forcefully.
• Blowing your nose.
• Prodding the surgical site with your tongue or fingers.

Common Side Effects

If this is your first oral surgery, it can be hard to tell which symptoms are normal and which of them warrant concern. Any initial discomfort should begin to fade after about two or three days, especially if you take the pain medication that your implant dentist in Edison prescribed for you.

Diet

You’ll want to stick to a soft food diet for the first week or so after your surgery. Beforehand, we recommend stocking up on soft foods that will keep you full, such as yogurt, scrambled eggs, pasta, soup (as long as it’s not too hot), and mashed potatoes. You can gradually begin eating heartier foods as you feel more comfortable, but don’t chew directly on the implant site.

Health & Oral Hygiene

Keeping your mouth clean is essential for your dental implants in Edison to form a strong foundation in your jaw. Starting on the day after your surgery, you can brush and floss as normal, but be careful near the implant site. You should also rinse your mouth with saltwater at least two or three times a day (ideally after eating) to soothe irritated tissues, reduce harmful bacteria, and encourage healing. You can use mouthwash as well, but avoid mouthwash that contains alcohol.

What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached  

Now that you’re fully healed, you’re ready to finally have your new teeth placed! Once Dr. Rosenfeld secures your crowns, bridge, or denture onto your implants, you'll be able to use them like normal and enjoy all the benefits of a renewed smile.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

Brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day are crucial to keeping your implants strong, beautiful, and functioning like new.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Your diet should be well balanced in order to keep your mouth healthy as well. That means incorporating foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and dairy products into your meals. Fortunately, dental implants enable you to eat a more expansive diet, making it easier to get the nutrients you need to be healthy.

Protect Your Dental Implants

If you enjoy sports, you understand how important it is to have the right protection every time you play. Our office is happy to create a custom-made mouthguard for you to ensure the best protection possible. This also applies if you grind your teeth at night, which can be managed with a custom nightguard.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

On top of performing detailed exams and professional cleanings, our office will pay very close attention to your implants in the long-term, ensuring it remains strong, functional, and aesthetically-pleasing.