66 Ridgedale Ave. Florham Park, NJ 07932

973-377-2222

Learning About Dental Implants

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Did you know that missing teeth are more than a cosmetic issue? While you might hide your smile because of a few missing teeth, there are actually some risks to your oral health when you lose adult teeth as well. This is why Dr. Gohard and our team A Healthy Smile Dentistry in Florham Park, NY want patients to know about the dental implants we make available.

Dental implants are made up of three parts – a post, a crown and an abutment. The post is the part that is surgically implanted into the jaw and gums. It actually fuses with them and is as stable as the original roots of the tooth. The abutment is a piece that joins the new crown of the tooth to the implant. You can have partial implants that work as anchors for partial dentures, or you can have full implants that support an entire bridge or full set of dentures, in addition to a single implant.

What are the actual benefits of dental implants? Why not just use dentures or leave the spaces empty? As we already mentioned, most of us are embarrassed by missing teeth. The use of implants gives us the look of an entirely natural tooth where one has been lost. Additionally, when we lose an adult tooth, our gums and jaw bone atrophy and recede.

That means that dental implants prevent our jaws from shrinking over time, plus it also means our teeth stay in their proper positions. Everyone has a unique bite pattern and if you lose even one tooth, that pattern can change. Teeth may shift slightly and move which misaligns the bite. You can end up with TMJ, bruxism (teeth grinding), uneven wear, headache or neck pain and more.

Replacing the lost tooth with an implant prevents the loss of bone or gum tissue, holds the teeth in place and allows you to speak and eat like normal. Should you use full implants or partial implants, they will help to reduce bone loss while acting as a permanent anchor for a set of dentures or a partial.

The process is done in two steps and can be complicated. The post is inserted first and topped with a temporary crown. Once the post is firmly in place, your new crown is mounted and you can use the tooth like normal. If you have questions about dental implants and wan to discuss your options, you can reach us by phoning us at 973-377-2222. You can also use our online contact form and one of our staff will get back to you promptly.

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