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 request an appointment online today.
Dental Implants Old Bridge, NJ
Dental implants offer a transformative solution for individuals with missing teeth. Surgically implanted into the jaw during a quick, outpatient procedure, dental implants are essentially a metal post that resembles a small screw. Anchored into your jawbone, they offer a more permanent and durable solution for replacing missing teeth. Dental implants not only replicate the look and function of natural teeth but also restore the ability to chew more comfortably and speak with greater confidence. As your mouth heals following treatment, the posts fuse with your jaw, providing a firm base and crucial support for tooth restorations like crowns, bridges, and 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.
Advantages Of Implants
The advantages of dental implants extend beyond the surface. Replacing missing teeth with implants can prevent the shifting of adjacent teeth into the space created by the lost tooth. In addition, implants help maintain the overall health of your gums and teeth as well as the proper relationship between upper and lower jaws. This replication of natural teeth ensures the preservation of facial appearance and structure and an enduring smile.
Dental implants offer greater durability and convenience compared to removable dentures that may require adjustments or relining over time. Also, because they fuse with your jawbone, there is no risk of your implants slipping like dentures can. Dentures may actually accelerate bone loss due to their looseness, while implant posts simulate natural tooth roots to help transmit the necessary stimulation for healthy bone growth.
Proper Surgical Placement of Dental Implants for Long-Term Success in Full-Arch Rehabilitation
The precise surgical placement of dental implants is essential in establishing a stable architectural framework that supports a favorable long-term prognosis. Edentulism presents significant health, functional, and psychosocial challenges for many patients. While conventional dentures offer a basic level of rehabilitation, they often fall short in terms of retention, stability, and overall patient satisfaction.
Implant-supported overdentures significantly improve prosthetic retention and function. By anchoring to strategically placed implants, these prostheses enhance stability—particularly in the mandibular arch—and often eliminate the need for palatal coverage, thereby improving patient comfort and oral function.
Advancements in implantology and prosthetic technology now allow for full-arch rehabilitation using fixed or fixed-detachable implant-retained prostheses. These treatment modalities transform even compromised clinical situations into highly successful outcomes, restoring esthetics, function, and patient confidence to an exceptional degree.
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, our Old Bridge dentist Dr. Pavlushkin and her 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.
The Procedure for Dental Implants
The journey to getting dental implants from our implant dentist in Old Bridge, NJ is a process encompassing several key stages:
- Initial consultation with Dr. Pavlushkin
- Removal of damaged tooth (if not already removed)
- Jawbone preparation, including bone grafting if required
- Placement of the dental implant
- Osseointegration - a period of healing and bone fusion, typically spanning 3 to 6 months
- Abutment placement, with the option of combining it with the crown
- Placement of the artificial tooth (the crown)
Getting dental implants typically requires a series of appointments with our Old Bridge dentist. Since treatment with dental implants is very individualized for each patient, it's important to first schedule a consultation with our Old Bridge dentist so she can do a full evaluation. Dr. Pavlushkin and the team will determine if you qualify for implants and whether or not tooth extraction or bone grafting may be necessary.
Next, they'll place the needed number of implant posts beneath your gum line during a separate outpatient procedure. Afterward, you'll 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'll return to the office. Dr. Pavlushkin and the team will 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 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.
Caring for Your Implants
Maintaining the health of your dental implants is paramount to their success. Follow these essential steps for optimal implant care:
- Brush your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste.
- Floss daily to keep interdental spaces clean.
- Prioritize good oral hygiene practices.
- Refrain from consuming hard, hot, or sticky foods.
- Limit alcohol intake and consider quitting smoking.
- Regularly visit our Old Bridge, NJ dental office for exams and professional cleanings to prevent peri-implantitis.
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.
Our Approach To Implant Dentistry
At Empire Dental Group, we pride ourselves on offering a comprehensive approach to dental implant care. Dr. Alla Pavlushkin, along with Dr. Steven Reff, skillfully performs implant placements and bone grafts, delivering a seamless experience under one roof. This comprehensive approach not only fosters convenience but also ensures continuity of care and outstanding results.