The dentist office Dr. Donna Vagnozzi-Bucci in Pennington, NJ recommends dental implants to replace one missing tooth, several missing teeth, or all of your teeth. Our office is one of the most comprehensive facilities in the area for dental implants. Our team includes Dr. David Heering, a specialist in periodontics and implant dentistry. Dental implants are highly successful and with today’s modern dental technology they look just like your natural teeth. If only one tooth is missing, we will recommend a single tooth implant which is an implant supported dental crown that will look just like a natural tooth. If you have several missing teeth, the dentist may use a dental bridge secured by dental implants or denture implants that will blend seamlessly with your smile.
The entire implant procedure requires several visits to our office and usually takes six to eight months with most patients don’t experience a disruption to their daily lives. There will be several surgical procedures involved in the process where we will use local anesthesia or oral sedation for your comfort. We offer complete dental implant services in our Pennington dental office from extraction to surgical implant placement to final restoration.
Dental Implant Procedure
Planning Phase – The first step in the dental implant procedure is an evaluation of your medical history, teeth, gums, and the current state of your oral health. At this initial consultation, your dentist will be able to determine if you qualify for dental implants. Impressions of your teeth will be taken and a personalized treatment plan to replace your missing teeth will be created. This is actually the most significant part of the process. A precise diagnosis and a clear, concise treatment plan guarantees the best possible outcome for each patient.
Pre-Treatments – Dr. Vagnozzi-Bucci may determine that you do not have sufficient bone mass to hold the implants. If you have low bone density, there is a greater chance that the implant will not fuse properly with the bone. In this case, bone grafting will be required before the implant can be surgically placed. You will need a tooth extraction before the implant surgery if your damaged or rotten teeth have not fallen out.
Placement of the implant – The next step is the surgical placement of the implants into your jaw bone. The implants are tiny titanium posts that will serve as the new tooth roots. Through the process of osseointegration, they will fuse with the jaw bone to form a stable bond. The healing process takes approximately three to six months. A healing cap will be placed on the top of the implant or, depending on the location of your missing tooth, a temporary dental restoration may be placed while the implant heals.
Placement of the Abutment – Once the bone and gums are healed and the implant has integrated with the surrounding bone, the cap or temporary restoration is removed. A small piece called an abutment is attached to the implant. This will serve as a foundation for the final restoration (a dental crown, dental bridge, or denture). Another impression will be taken and the process of creating the final restoration will begin.
Implant Restoration – After brief healing period, you will return to our Pennington, NJ dentist office and the final restoration will be placed. The dental crown, dental bridge, or denture is secured to the dental implant(s) for a permanent restoration. Your new smile will be complete!
After Care – The dental implants will look and function the same as natural teeth, in fact, you might even forget you have a dental implant. They require the same proper oral hygiene routine as your original teeth. You will be able to floss and brush normally. Routine visits to the dentist are very important to ensure long term health and function of the implants.
Learn More About Dental Implants
