Dental Implants developed in our Medford and Moorestown offices look just like natural teeth!

Before development of dental implants, dentures were the only alternative to replacing a missing tooth or teeth. Dental Implants are synthetic structures that are placed in the area of the tooth normally occupied by the root. Dental implants are anchored to the jawbone or metal framework on the bone and act as a foundation for an artificial tooth or permanent bridge. In some cases, dental implants can be used to attach dentures.

Not everyone is a candidate for a dental implant. For a successful implant to take hold, a candidate must have proper bone density and have a strong immune system.

Dental implants are so well-designed, they mimic the look and feel of natural teeth. Dental implants are usually made of titanium.

In general, good candidates who have dental implants can expect high success rates with the procedure.

The procedure can take several visits. During the first visit, an anchor is placed into the jawbone and the site is allowed to heal for several weeks or months. This gives your tissue time to grow around the anchor to more firmly hold it in place.

During a follow-up visit, an artificial, natural-looking tooth is fitted over the implanted anchor.

Types of dental implants

Various types of dental implants include full upper and lower, anterior, posterior, and single-tooth:

Full upper replacements

The upper set of teeth is replaced with dental implants. Procedure steps include:

• Missing tooth roots are replaced with dental implants, which are covered under the gum line.
• A healing period of up to six months allows dental implants to take.
• The dental implants are uncovered and extensions attached.
• Replacement teeth are affixed to the dental implants and extensions.

In some cases, full upper replacements can be removed.

Anterior replacement

Dental implants are used to replace the front teeth (also called incisors and cuspids). Procedure steps include:

• Missing tooth roots are replaced with dental implants, which are covered under the gum line.
• A healing period of up to six months allows dental implants to take.
• The dental implants are uncovered and extensions attached.
• Replacement teeth are affixed to the dental implants and extensions.

Full lower replacement

The lower set of teeth is replaced with dental implants. Full lower replacement usually only uses four to six dental implants (near the front), which are used to anchor a denture. This obviates the need for denture adhesive.

Posterior replacement

Dental Implants are used to replace the bicuspids and molars (the back teeth). Procedure steps include:

• Missing tooth roots are replaced with dental implants, which are covered under the gum line.
• A healing period of up to six months allows dental implants to take.
• The dental implants are uncovered and extensions attached.
• Replacement teeth are affixed to the dental implants and extensions.

Single tooth replacement

Procedure steps include:

• Missing tooth root is replaced with an implant, which remains covered under the gum line.
• A healing period of up to six months allows the implant to take.
• The implant is uncovered and an extension attached.
• Replacement tooth is affixed to the implant and extension.