All About Dental Implants

Placing dental implants is a three-step process. First, your dentist will surgically implant small metal posts, usually made out of titanium, into the jaw bone. This metal post will function as the root of your tooth. Over several months of healing, the jaw bone will grow around the implant, making it permanent and sturdy. You can speak with your dentist about temporary replacement teeth during this period so you are not left without one or more teeth.

During the healing period, your gums will heal over the implanted post. After your implants have been successfully secured to the jaw bone, your dentist will make another small incision to attach another piece of metal, called an abutment, to the metal post. This is the piece that the crown — or the false tooth — will attach to. Lastly, realistic-looking artificial teeth are connected to the abutment.

While this procedure might sound intense, most patients do not have any complications or pain other than some slight soreness for the first few days after the initial surgery.

Can Anyone Get Dental Implants?

Most people in good health who are missing one or more teeth are good candidates for dental implants regardless of age. The main determining factor of whether or not dental implants will be successful for you is the density and condition of your jaw bone. When you are missing teeth, the portion of the jaw bone in that area can deteriorate, which is not good for dental implants as the implant needs something to fuse to.

However, there are a few workarounds for this. First, many dentists offer “mini implants” where four small posts are placed in the jaw for each tooth, rather than one single post. Secondly, we offer bone grafting when necessary at our dental office. This can artificially create more bone density, allowing for a sturdier implant.

People who may not be good candidates for dental implants are those who have certain chronic health conditions that might affect their healing. Additionally, those who have poor dental hygiene habits and would not be able to commit to following better habits for the life of their implants, or those who smoke or drink heavily and would not be able or willing to quit during the three to four-month healing process.

How To Ensure Successful Dental Implants?

Dental implants in the United States have a success rate of over 98 percent. Dr. Ira Port, our dental implantologist in NJ, has personally placed over 22,000 dental implants in his career as well as pioneered new techniques in dental implants. He was the first dentist in the United States to use the Grafton Bone technique of bone grafting in a private practice, and is a clinical instructor at Jersey Shore University Medical Center’s Dental Clinic. In short, you’re in great hands with Dr. Port, who not only has been practicing for 40 years but also continues to use the best and latest techniques in implant dentistry.

To answer the question above, the best way to ensure the success of your dental implants is to choose the right dentist to place them. At our dental office in Pine Beach, you can have complete confidence in your dental implantologist.

Where To Get Dental Implants

If you visit any of our dentists at our Eatontown, Jackson & Manahawkin dentistry offices and are in need of dental implants, you will be referred, at no cost, to Dr. Port for a consultation.

Contact Our Dental Offices Today

The longer you wait to get dental implants, the more complicated they become as the bone in your jaw continues to deteriorate. We know the decision to get dental implants is a big one, and we are here to answer any questions you might have. Get in touch with any of our dental offices today to discuss dental implants.