Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants & Periodontics
Do you have questions about dental implants? You’re not alone. At Advanced Oral Specialty Group, Dr. Alan Meltzer is an expert when it comes to dental implants. He has placed thousands of implants for patients all throughout New Jersey. If you’re interested in dental implants, you’re in the right place.
Take some time to read through Advanced Oral Specialty Group’s FAQ, then feel free to contact us with any remaining questions!
If you would like to Schedule a Consultation, you can call us at 856–772–9444 or fill out our Contact Us form. We service Voorhees, NJ; Cherry Hill, NJ; Camden County, NJ; Gloucester County, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; New Jersey; and all Surrounding Areas!
What is Periodontics?
· According to the ADA, “Periodontics is the dental specialty focusing exclusively in the inflammatory disease that destroys the gums and other supporting structures around the teeth.”
What is a Periodontist?
· “A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists are also experts in the treatment of oral inflammation. Periodontists receive extensive training in these areas, including three additional years of education beyond dental school. They are familiar with the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal disease, and are also trained in performing cosmetic periodontal procedures.”
What is Implant Dentistry?
· Implant Dentistry is a Specialization within Dentistry that involves Dental Implants. Implant Dentistry is traditionally a specialty practiced by Periodontists.
What is a dental implant?
· A dental implant can replace one lost natural tooth without damaging any surrounding teeth and come with many permanent benefits that improve your health and confidence.
· Secured in your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge, dental implants are an ideal option for patients who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or aesthetic reasons.
· According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, “[w]hen dental implants are placed in your jawbone, they bond with your natural bone. They become a sturdy base for supporting one or more artificial teeth, called crowns.”
How long do Dental Implants last?
· Dental implants provide several advantages over other procedures. In addition to looking and feeling like a natural tooth, a dental implant can be a safe way to restore a single tooth without compromising the health of neighboring teeth.
· The actual implant can last many years, or even a lifetime with proper dental care, making them a cost-efficient alternative to other options of tooth replacement.
· Dental implants replace the root of the tooth as well, which is beneficial for bone care. They integrate with the jawbone, which helps to keep the bone healthy and intact.
What are All on 4 Dental Implants?
· All-on-4 Dental Implants are a Full Arch, or Full Mouth Dental Solution designed to restore and replace all teeth in a patients mouth utilizing Dental Implants, on both the upper and lower set of teeth. All-on-4 simply means the teeth that are apart of your Full Arch solution (ie. Fixed Full Arch Dental Implants or Implant-Supported Dentures) will be held in place and supported by 4 or more Dental Implants placed into your jawbone.
· In our office we place 6 implants on your Upper Arch for increased security and stability, and 4 implants on your Lower Arch. Instead of a Dental Implant for each tooth, you get either 4 or 6 implants placed on your Arch (Upper or Lower set of teeth) which all the teeth will be supported by.
What are Implant Supported Dentures?
· Implant supported dentures are secured with dental implants and are the economic alternative to stabilize dentures far beyond the capability of adhesive.
· Unlike traditional dentures, patients have no need for adhesives and do not suffer the pain associated with slipping dentures. Implant supported dentures are more comfortable and more secure because they snap onto attachments on special implants.
· Additionally, the bone that surrounded the tooth roots will resorb with conventional dentures. Implant-supported dentures help preserve bone. Implant supported dentures can still be removed so you can clean them and your gums. The removability does not come at the expense of stability — you will always enjoy a secure set of teeth that allow you to eat, talk, and socialize with confidence!
Can dentures be made into implants?
· In many cases, we can use your existing dentures and convert them to implant supported dentures further reducing the cost.
What is bone grafting?
· Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that replaces lost bone in the jaw, mainly to restore natural jaw contours and function but also so dental implants can be safely and successfully placed.
· When teeth are lost, the supporting bone ridge narrows producing a ridge of inadequate height and width. Often due to previous extractions without proper site preservation, gum disease, trauma, or cyst or tumor removal, bone loss in the jaw makes placing dental implants unsafe. Specialized bone grafting techniques can replace the proper levels of bone, qualifying patients with even severe bone loss for any number of dental implants.
What types of Bone Grafting is there?
Grafts can be sourced from different places, such as:
· Autograft moves bone from one part of your body (typically the chin, hip, or shin) to another (the defected jaw).
· Allograft uses bone tissues harvested from another individual instead of the person receiving the graft. This method may be preferred by patients who want only one surgical site instead of the two that are involved in autografts.
· Xenograft uses bone material from another species, in most cases, of bovine (cow) origin. Xenografts are a common solution when human tissue may be unavailable or to extract larger amounts of the graft material than is normally possible with samples of human origin.
What is osseointegration?
· According to the Academy of Osseointegration, “Dental implants work by a process known as osseointegration, which occurs when bone cells attach themselves directly to the titanium surface, essentially locking the implant into the jawbone. This process was first discovered by a Swedish researcher, Prof. Dr. Per-Ingvar Brånemark, in the 1960’s.”
What does Dental Implant Treatment involve?
· When a tooth is replaced, the process begins by surgically placing the implant in your jawbone. This surgery has been pre-planned digitally and is carried out using custom surgical guides and software for ultimate predictability and success.
· During the next two to six months, this titanium post begins bonding to the jawbone to serve as an anchor for the artificial tooth or teeth. Once the initial healing period is complete, an abutment will be added. This will be the foundation on which the replacement tooth will sit. There will be another healing period following this procedure, allowing the gums to recover.
· The final stage of the process is adding the actual crown or artificial tooth. If not completed by your dentist, our in-office lab technician expertly creates our implant restorations conveniently at our location.
· Best of all, it is standard implant treatment that you return to the office to receive detailed home care instructions to ensure you learn how to protect your investment and keep your smile functional and healthy for the rest of your life.
While dental implants are the gold-standard tooth replacement for their unsurpassed strength, longevity, and aesthetics, replacing missing teeth is an important decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Choosing a highly skilled periodontist versus a general dental practitioner can result in more optimal treatment outcomes.
If you would like to Schedule a Consultation, you can call us at 856–772–9444 or fill out our Contact Us form. We service Voorhees, NJ; Cherry Hill, NJ; Camden County, NJ; Gloucester County, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; New Jersey; and all Surrounding Areas!
