Empire Dental Group of New Jersey
Alla Pavlushkin, DDS
General Dentist & Cosmetic Dentistry located in Old Bridge, NJ
If you’re missing permanent teeth, dental implants can restore your smile while minimizing the risk of gum recession and bone loss. At Empire Dental Group of New Jersey, Alla Pavlushkin, DDS, and the team specialize in the placement and restoration of dental implants. Using safe and proven techniques, you can achieve the smile of your dreams. To schedule an appointment at the Old Bridge, New Jersey, practice, call to speak with a member of the administrative staff or book online today.
Old Bridge, NJ Dental Implants Q & A
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small metal posts placed under your gum line during a quick, outpatient procedure. As your mouth heals following treatment, the posts fuse with your jaw, providing a firm base for dental restorations like crowns, bridges, or implant-supported dentures.
In addition to restoring your smile, dental implants significantly decrease your risk of more serious oral health problems, including gum disease, persistent bad breath, and bone decay.
What Are The Advantages Of Dental Implants?
Dental implants boast a variety of advantages compared to traditional restorations, including:
- Easier eating
- Improved facial appearance
- Better oral health
- Durability
- Convenience
Dental implants can also make it easier to speak. Because they fuse with your jaw, there’s no risk of your implants slipping like dentures.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Dental Implants?
To qualify for dental implants you need a healthy jawbone and gum tissue. If you have a weak jawbone or you’re living with gum disease, Dr. Pavlushkin and the team might recommend a prerequisite procedure like a bone graft or scaling and root planing.
During your initial appointment, let the team know if you have any chronic health problems like diabetes, kidney disease, or high blood pressure. These conditions won’t prevent you from getting implants, but they can increase the risk of complications, including implant failure.
What Does Getting Dental Implants Involve?
Getting dental implants typically takes six to 12 months and a series of appointments. If Dr. Pavlushkin and the team determine you qualify for implants, they place a series of metal posts beneath your gum line during an outpatient procedure. Afterward, you return home for several months while the implants fuse with your jaw and your mouth heals.
When the process of osseointegration (bone fusion) is complete, you return to the office. Dr. Pavluskin and the team take impressions of your mouth and send them to a dental laboratory that uses them to create your crowns, bridge, or implant-supported dentures.
Once your custom restorations are ready, you return for your third and final appointment. Dr. Pavlushkin attaches an abutment piece to each implant and bonds the restoration on top. Once placed, your restorations look, feel, and function like permanent teeth.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
If you practice good oral hygiene, dental implants typically last a lifetime. Dr. Pavlushkin and the team recommend brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing regularly, and visiting the office every six months for an oral exam and professional teeth cleaning.
To prevent damage to your implants, avoid bad habits like nail-biting, chewing on ice, or opening objects with your teeth. In addition, wear a mouthguard if you play contact sports or enjoy activities like skateboarding, skiing, or mountain biking.