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Dental Implants

Dental implants are durable, long-lasting tooth restorations that can provide individuals with a tooth replacement that is most like their natural teeth. They are capable of blending in perfectly with the rest of your teeth for a seamless look, so you’ll never have to feel self-conscious. With proper care and maintenance, your dental implant can last for the rest of your life. 

When you lose a tooth, it can change your life in several different ways. If it’s a tooth that is visible when you smile, the fact that it’s missing will be the first thing people notice about you. Even if it is in the back of your mouth, you will still be aware of its loss every time you try to chew. The good news is, by getting your missing tooth replaced with a dental implant, you won’t have to give that tooth another thought. 

• What Are Dental Implants?
• Dental Implant Benefits
• What Happens if Missing Teeth Are Not Replaced?
• Dental Implant Candidates
• Dental Implant Surgical Planning
• Dental Implant Options
• Dental Implant Procedure
• Dental Implant Results
• Dental Implant Safety
• Do Dental Implants Hurt?
• Dental Implant Alternatives
• Dental Implants Cost
• Additional Dental Implant FAQs

What Are Dental Implants? 

Dental implants are teeth replacement solutions designed to replicate the function, feel, and appearance of natural teeth. Unlike options such as conventional dentures, the purpose of dental implants is to provide a remedy for missing teeth that actually becomes part of the mouth, offering potentially permanent results that mimic natural teeth in several ways. 

A dental implant is made up of three parts: 

1. The titanium root, which is surgically placed into the jawbone to replace the root of the missing tooth. Titanium is a metal that is easily accepted by the body, so there is little risk of rejection. In fact, it should integrate into your jawbone during the healing process. 
2. The abutment, which connects the titanium root to the replacement tooth.  
3. The crown, which is the tooth restoration that is made to match your natural teeth for a seamless look. This is added after the implant has healed and integrated into the jawbone—usually about three or four months after surgical placement. The custom crown can often be conveniently designed and manufactured right here at our office with the use of our state-of-the-art CEREC^® milling machine. 

What Can Dental Implants Do for Me? 

Some of the many benefits offered by dental implants include: 

• Secure teeth replacement that requires no additional maintenance aside from standard brushing and flossing 
• Improvement in chewing and speaking abilities 
• Improvement in smile aesthetics 
• No slippage or movement along the gums 
• No dental pastes or other kinds of adhesives are necessary 
• No dietary restrictions 
• Long-lasting results that look, function, and feel as though the original tooth was never lost 

What Happens if Missing Teeth Are Not Replaced? 

Missing a tooth can make you feel self-conscious about the appearance of your smile, but the problem with missing a tooth goes deeper than that. Not replacing a missing tooth can impact your oral health in a number of different ways, including:  

• Food can get stuck in the space left by a missing tooth, increasing your chances of developing a cavity or gum disease.
• An untreated, missing tooth can cause your healthy teeth to shift to fill in the space. This can mean undue wear on your teeth as your bite changes.
• You risk bone loss and receding gums when you don’t replace a missing tooth. 

The sooner you replace a missing tooth, the less likely you will have to worry about your oral health in the long run. 

Who Is a Candidate for Dental Implants? 

Patients who are in relatively good overall health and have a sufficient amount of jawbone density in the areas where tooth replacement is necessary are often ideal candidates for dental implants. Adequate bone density is important because the jawbone will need to be strong enough to securely accommodate the implant. Additionally, the gums must also be in reasonably good health before a dental implant procedure. Individuals who currently have periodontal disease will need to have treatment to improve that condition before they are eligible for dental implants. 

Our cosmetic dentist, Dr. Matthew Vaccaro, will perform a comprehensive oral evaluation and make a determination as to whether you are a good candidate for dental implants. Fortunately, implant dentistry has seen a number of advancements over the years, and many individuals who have been told previously that dental implants were not right for them may now qualify. If you are not the best candidate for this treatment, Dr. Vaccaro can recommend alternative options that have also proven to be effective remedies for tooth replacement.

Advanced Dental Implant Surgical Planning

Vaccaro Aesthetic and Family Dentistry proudly utilizes leading dental technology and techniques to deliver the greatest possible accuracy and precision for our dental implant restoration procedures. Modern computer-assisted technology and manufacturing is very important to the success of the implant and maintaining more control of the process. 

Dr. Vaccaro and Dr. Beth Dorfman, our experienced periodontist, use several of these advancements throughout the intricate dental implant planning process. In fact, they take a “restoration first” approach with guided dental implant surgery. For placement of the implant restorations, Dr. Vaccaro and Dr. Dorfman use three-dimensional CEREC^® Primescan technology to digitally scan the patient’s teeth and mouth, which produces an impression to create digital models. Next, a 3D Cone Beam X-ray acts as a surgical guide, providing a digital view of the teeth and jaw to plan and perform more accurate dental implant placements. To finish, a state-of-the-art 3D Printer generates the teeth with cutting-edge accuracy to ensure the implants will be correctly fitted into the jawbone. Each of these technologies contributes to vital steps in the implantation procedure to ensure comfort, stability, and the most natural fit and appearance possible for our patients. A “restoration first” approach, which can be utilized in procedures involving single or multiple dental implant placements, allows our dentists to identify precisely where the custom crown should be placed for the best possible functionality and occlusion (bite). This precise planning process can be greatly preferable to the alternative, which could involve the oral surgeon placing the dental implant without a specific outline for placement of the final restoration on the implant post. The “restoration first” approach can optimize the benefits of collaboration between the dentist and the oral surgeon, which can ultimately lead to more predictable and successful outcomes.

What Are My Dental Implant Options?

There are several options for missing teeth replacement with dental implants. A single tooth can be replaced, or several missing teeth in various areas of the mouth can be restored. Additionally, dental implants can be combined with custom dentures for full-arch teeth replacement.

Single-Tooth Implants

A single missing tooth can create an array of issues affecting dental health. Even if the tooth is located in a less visible area, it can still result in bone loss, the possibility that surrounding teeth will shift out of place, and other oral health concerns. Just one dental implant can make a world of difference in these cases.

Multiple Teeth Implants

Do you have several missing teeth in the same general area of the mouth? Or perhaps multiple missing teeth in different locations? If so, the placement of multiple dental implants to restore each missing tooth may be the ideal option. For many individuals, the results can significantly improve oral health and dental function while dramatically enhancing smile aesthetics.

Implant Dentures

Implant dentures, which are sometimes referred to as “implant-supported dentures” or “implant-anchored dentures,” offer the best of both worlds when it comes to full-arch teeth replacement. These hybridized oral appliances involve the placement of several dental implants in areas of the mouth where the jawbone is healthy and dense enough to successfully accommodate the implant posts. A custom denture—made for the best possible fit and appearance—can be securely attached to the implants to replace entire rows of missing teeth without requiring a dental implant for each tooth. Implant-supported dentures are designed to provide full teeth replacement that looks and feels natural while reducing reliance on dental adhesives to keep the appliance from moving and slipping.

What Happens During the Dental Implant Procedure? 

The dental implant procedure essentially begins with the intricate planning necessary to provide accurate placement of the implant and results that look and feel natural. Once the surgical implantation plan has been developed, an oral surgeon will delicately insert the implant root through the gum and anchor it to the jawbone. Over the next several months, the implant should fuse to the bone and become a secure, artificial tooth root. Once that process, known as osseointegration, is complete, Dr. Vaccaro can attach the abutment and affix the permanent custom crown on the top of the implant post. After giving the crown a final polish, the implant should look and feel virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth. 

How Long Do Dental Implants Last? 

The potential longevity of dental implant results is one of the biggest advantages of the treatment. With good oral health maintenance and regular dental office visits for routine care, dental implants are capable of lasting a lifetime. 

Are Dental Implants Safe?

With the combination of a highly-qualified implant dentistry team and the use of state-of-the-art planning technology, dental implants and the procedures required to place them should be very safe. It is important to remember that there is a surgical component to dental implant procedures, and all types of surgery contain inherent risks. These risks can include infection, implant failure, excessive bleeding, and other potential complications. Our dentist will review all risks and benefits of dental implants before your treatment is performed. We work with extensively experienced oral surgeons and utilize some of the most advanced technology available to minimize the risks of these procedures and maximize the possibility of successful, long-lasting results. Patients will also be provided with detailed post-treatment guidelines that can further increase the chances of a safe and successful recovery following dental implant surgery.

Do Dental Implants Hurt?

During dental implant surgery, a local anesthesia is given to prevent pain or discomfort. In some cases, patients opt for additional sedation dentistry techniques to reduce anxiety or the potential for discomfort during treatment. After the procedure is finished, most patients are able to manage any lingering soreness with prescribed or over-the-counter medication, as needed.

What Are Some Alternatives to Dental Implants? 

While dental implants can be excellent restorative options for some individuals, they may not be the most ideal treatment for others. For patients who are not the best candidates for dental implants, as well as those who would simply like to explore potential alternatives, there are other options that can serve as effective methods of teeth replacement. One popular example is a dental bridge. This option has been utilized for decades and has proven successful for many patients. A dental bridge can help patients who are missing a single tooth or multiple teeth in a specific area of the mouth. Patients who are missing several teeth or a full arch might want to choose implant-supported dentures. This combines the convenience of dentures with the stability of dental implants. There is also a cost savings because usually just four dental implants are needed to support a full arch. For some individuals, a traditional full or partial denture may be the most suitable option. 

During your initial consultation, Dr. Vaccaro can talk with you about the most ideal tooth replacement options available and help you decide on the best solution for your unique needs and goals. 

How Much Do Dental Implants Cost? 

The cost of dental implant restorations typically ranges between $1,500 to $5,000 at our practice. The total amount the entire dental implant procedure costs varies among individual patients based on the oral surgery component of this treatment, the number of dental implants that are being placed, the complexity of the procedure, whether the procedure involves the addition of a denture prosthesis (such as an implant-supported denture), the materials utilized, and other factors. If other treatments or options are included in the overall treatment plan, such as additional procedures necessary to prepare the area for the implant, these will affect the total price, as well. One of our team members here at Vaccaro Aesthetic and Family Dentistry will produce a total cost estimate once your treatment plan is created during the initial consultation so that you can get an idea of what to expect. We accept a wide variety of payment methods, including dental care financing through CareCredit^®. This reputable company offers an extensive selection of installment plans with interest-friendly terms to patients who qualify. If you have questions about payment options, please don’t hesitate to ask!

Additional Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants

How successful are dental implants?

Dental implants can be extremely successful when they are implemented by experienced and skilled dental professionals. The ability for the practice to use advanced dental technology, such as the offerings at Vaccaro Aesthetic and Family Dentistry, can also contribute to the most effective outcome. Additionally, the long-term success rate depends on the patient for ensuring proper care of the implants and overall oral health. Following post-procedure instructions, fulfilling daily oral care (including refraining from smoking and tobacco use), and attending routine follow-up appointments, professional cleanings, and annual exams will all significantly increase the chances of a lifelong dental implant.

Are dental implants covered by insurance?

Dental insurance coverage varies based on a patient’s provider and specific plan. To better understand your policy’s coverage, or partial coverage, it is recommended to have an overall understanding of your potential benefits for missing teeth replacement. Our office will gladly review any insurance questions you may have, as well as reach out to your insurance provider once a treatment plan is established to determine any out-of-pocket costs.

Do dental implants look natural?

Dental implants are a preferred option for teeth replacement because they are designed and created to look and function like your natural teeth. With the powerful assistance of 3D digital technology – including scanners, x-rays, and printers – dental implants are meticulously crafted to blend in seamlessly with the rest of your smile.

How do dental implants feel?

Once the dental implant root has completely fused with the jawbone – a process called osseointegration, which takes several months to complete – and the crown has been affixed to the implant post, patients can expect the implant to feel like their natural teeth. The strength, durability, and customization of dental implants can be so identical to natural teeth that, upon fully healing, you may forget which tooth has an implant.

Please Contact Us to Learn More

If you have lost a tooth and are considering dental implants, we invite you to contact us with any questions you may have, or to  schedule an appointment with Dr. Matthew Vaccaro.