"I had a tooth extracted after a root canal so I went to see Dr. Lunagaria about a dental implant. The treatment was quick, comfortable and met all of the criteria outlined by Dr. Lunagaria."
—Edwin
A dental implant is a titanium post that is anchored into the jaw to replace a missing tooth root. A connecting piece called an abutment is placed on top of the implant and acts as the attachment point for a dental crown, a dental bridge or a denture.
The jaw bone around the inserted implant fuses (integrates) with the implant surfaces and securely anchors the implant in place. The integrated implant is then as strong as a regular tooth root.
Dr. Lunagaria has extensive training and experience in minimally invasive dental implant procedures. He has placed hundreds of implants and holds Fellowships in both the American Dental Implant Association and the International Congress of Oral implantology. He is able to help most people enjoy the many benefits dental implants offer.
Most people can now receive dental implants due to major advances in technology. In the past, patients with too much bone loss around the missing tooth could not receive implants, but modern bone grafting techniques can restore lost bone and provide the needed support for implants to be stably placed.
Even people with health problems that before made implant placement too risky can now receive dental implants. This includes people with diabetes, heart disease or who are heavy smokers. If you are determined eligible after initial examination, Dr. Lunagaria can work in coordination with your physician as needed to ensure success.
Dental implants have many benefits and advantages which make them the gold standard for tooth replacement.
Once a dental implant is completely fused with the supporting jawbone, it has the strength of a natural tooth root and functions just like a normal tooth. Your new implant tooth will have the same biting and chewing power as a regular tooth and you can easily eat all the foods you need for good nutrition. You can also brush and floss your implant teeth just like you would with any other teeth.
The pressure from chewing and biting is needed to preserve the volume and density of bone around your teeth. This pressure is missing when teeth are lost, and 25% of the surrounding bone dissolves away in the first year alone. Implants provide the stimulation necessary to preserve the bone structure.
The type of pressure exerted by dentures actually accelerates bone loss in the jaw. Dentures supported by implants, however, place the pressure on the implants and thus maintain the jawbone volume.
The gap left by a missing tooth can cause the adjacent teeth to shift position. This destabilizes those teeth and can alter your bite and ability to chew. A dental implant-supported tooth holds the adjacent teeth stably in position.
Bacteria can accumulate in the gaps left by missing teeth and around the teeth next to the gap. Implant-supported teeth fill in this gap and can prevent gum disease from occurring in that space.
Dental implants are made out of titanium, a non-corrosive, long-lasting bio-compatible metal. They can last a lifetime if properly cared for with effective home oral care and regular hygiene maintenance cleanings at our dental office.
For people who have lost most or all of their teeth, progressive bone loss stemming from those missing teeth causes the height between the nose and the chin to diminish and the lower third of their face to collapse. This causes excess wrinkles around their mouth, drooping jowls and sagging skin. Additionally, their lips become thinner and their chin becomes pointed, making them look much older than their true age.
Since dental implants can prevent bone loss by providing the biting and chewing pressure needed to preserve bone volume, they can also prevent facial sagging and collapse for those people who have lost their teeth, including denture wearers.
Dental implants and implant-supported dentures provide a far superior experience than regular dentures for a number of reasons. If you are deciding between regular dentures and an implant-supported full-arch set of new teeth, here are some things to consider.
A dental bridge consists of a string of prosthetic teeth used to replace one or two missing teeth. However, a dental bridge involves the grinding down of the adjacent teeth on either side of the missing tooth for the bridge to be placed. This weakens the adjacent teeth and can lead to complications over time.
Dental implants do not require alteration of the patient's other healthy teeth. Implant-supported teeth can last a lifetime with regular care and are the strongest and most lifelike tooth replacement option.
To make an appointment, call us at (908) 359-6655 or click here to request an appointment online.