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Durable Dental Implants in Rutherford & Lyndhurst

Recognized Dental Implant Excellence

For his dedication and commitment to providing quality implants, Dr. Frost has been selected to join The International Congress of Oral Implantologists.

Replace Missing Teeth With Dental Implants

Dental Implants are a great option to replace missing teeth.

A dental implant is an artificial tooth that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge, to enhance both the function and cosmetic appearance of your teeth. Whether you’re missing one or more teeth, dental implants are the best and most permanent way to replace them.

Living with missing teeth is documented as affecting the way you feel about your smile. This can go on to impact how you interact with your friends, family and even your work during conversations or pictures.

Let Dr. Lee Frost and his team help build you a beautiful smile and prevent bone loss with dental implants.

Contact Rutherford Implant Dentist, Dr. Frost

Dr. Frost and his team are dedicated to offering high-quality dental implants from his practice conveniently located in Rutherford.

Our practice is just minutes away from the New Jersey Transit Hub in Rutherford allowing our practice to serve patients from the greater region of New Jersey.

Call Frost Dental Group to schedule a consultation with Dr. Frost.

View Before & After Photos

Benefits of Dental Implants

1. Dental implants function like real teeth
2. Implants can last a lifetime
3. Dental implants can help prevent jawbone loss
4. Dental implants can reduce the risk of gum disease
5. Implants can prevent premature aging by keeping your face muscles from sagging
   

Common Reasons for Dental Implants

• Replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth.
  
• Resolve joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into missing tooth space.
  
• Restore a patient’s confident smile.
  
• Restore chewing, speech, and digestion.
  
• Restore or enhance facial tissues.
  
• Support a bridge or denture, making it more secure and comfortable.

Dental Implant Treatment Process

The process of getting implants requires a number of visits over several months.

A dental implant is essentially an artificial tooth root which is attached to the jaw bone.  Eventually, a replacement tooth or bridge will be firmly fixed to this root, restoring complete function to the tooth.  The key to a successful and long-lasting implant is the quality and quantity of jawbone to which the implant will be attached.

X-Rays and Bite Impressions

X-rays and impressions (molds) are taken of the jaw and teeth to determine bone, gum tissue, and spacing available for an implant. 

Jawbone Examination

Depending on the jawbone's condition a bone graft, or sinus augmentation may be required to strengthen the jaw before the implant can be placed.

Bone Grafting

A bone graft creates a stable base for dental implant placement. 

It is a fairly simple procedure that can be performed under local anesthetic; however, if large amounts of bone area need to be grafted, general anesthetic may be required.

Initially, the grafting material needs to either be harvested or prepared for insertion.  A small incision is made in the gum tissue. In the case of sinus augmentation the incision is made near the upper premolar or molar region to expose the jawbone.

The gum tissue is then gently separated from the bone.  The bone grafting material is then placed at the affected site.

There are several types of dental bone grafts.  The following are the most common:

• Autogenous bone graft – In this type of graft the bone is removed from elsewhere in the body and implanted in the mouth.  Common donor sites for bone grafting include the iliac section of the pelvis, the chin and the posterior third molar areas of the jaw.  If large amounts of bone need to be harvested, the hip or the shin bone (tibia) is generally used. 
  
• Allograft – Synthetic bone (manmade) can be created in the laboratory and used in the bone grafting procedure.  Bone can also be obtained from a bone bank (cadaver bone). 
  
• Xenograft – This is the implantation of bovine (cow) bone. A xenograft is perfectly safe and has been used successfully; ample bone can be obtained, and a secondary donor site is not necessary.

The gum is sutured in place and a follow-up appointment will need to be made within 10 days to assess progress.  Bone grafting is a highly successful treatment and a good base for further periodontal restorations.

Sinus Lift for Dental Implants

The key to implant success is the quantity and quality of the bone where the implant is to be placed. The upper back jaw has conventionally been one of the more difficult areas to place dental implants due to bone quantity and quality and the proximity to the maxillary sinus. Sinus augmentation can help correct this problem by raising the sinus floor and developing more bone for the placement of your implants.

Ridge Augmentation

The key to implant success is the quantity and quality of the bone where the implant is to be placed. The upper back jaw has conventionally been one of the more difficult areas to place dental implants due to bone quantity and quality and the proximity to the maxillary sinus. Sinus augmentation can help correct this problem by raising the sinus floor and developing more bone for the placement of your implants.

Placing The Implant Post

While the area is numb, the implant will be surgically placed into the bone and allowed to heal and integrate itself for up to six months.   Depending on the type of implant, a second surgery may be required in order to place the “post” that will hold the artificial tooth in place.  With other implants the post and anchor are already attached and placed at the same time.

Placing The Implant

After several weeks of healing the artificial teeth are made and fitted to the post portion of the anchor.  Because several fittings may be required, this step may take one to two months to complete.  After a healing period, the artificial teeth are securely attached to the implant, providing excellent stability and comfort to the patient.

Visit our implant smile gallery for some before and after samples of dental implants Dr. Frost has placed.

After Placement

You will receive care instructions when your treatment is completed.  Good oral hygiene and eating habits, alongside regular dental visits, will aid in the life of your new implant.

Recovering After Implant Surgery

While each patient’s case is different, recovery after dental implant surgery happens in a series of phases. With your new dental implants, maintaining proper oral hygiene should be your primary focus. In order for the implant to properly fuse with the jawbone, it must remain clean. Also keep in mind that when properly cared for, a dental implant can serve its owner for life.

When maintaining proper hygiene, oral discomfort should gradually lessen. Swelling, bruising, and minor bleeding may still occur. If any pain does continue, feel free to continue using the pain medications.

Healing time differs depending on whether a patient receives immediate crown placement, or waits for the implant to fuse with the jawbone. Your recovery timeframe will depend on your individual case and treatment plan; follow-up appointments will be scheduled accordingly.

Helping Your Implants Heal

Following dental implant surgery, patients must take detailed care of the area surrounding their new implant.  For the first month the dental implant is still integrating with the bone and tissues so the patient’s care routine will be slightly more involved during this initial period.  Above all, do not disturb the wound in the initial days that follow surgery.  Avoid rinsing, spitting, and touching the mouth for 24 hours after surgery to avoid contaminating or irritating the surgical site. 

After dental implant surgery it’s important to follow these care instructions:

Antibiotics

Patients should take all prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection at the surgical site.  Twenty-four hours after the surgery, patients should begin using the prescribed oral rinse twice daily alongside a warm saltwater rinse 4-5 times daily (preferably after every meal/snack).

Bleeding

Blood in the patients’ saliva is normal during the first 24 hours following surgery.  We suggest biting on gauze pads to help control and lessen blood flow.  Gently bite down on the gauze pad and try to maintain constant pressure, repeating as often as needed, or until bleeding lessens.

Dealing with pain

Shortly after your dental implant surgery the anesthetic will wear off.  You should begin taking pain medication before this happens. Any over-the-counter pain medication can be taken (e.g., Tylenol^®, Aleve^®, ibuprofen, etc.).

Diet

We recommend an initial diet of soft foods, but patients can resume a normal diet as soon as they feel capable of doing so. Stay hydrated. It is critical that you are drinking plenty of fluids.

Hygiene

In order for the dental implants to heal properly, the surgical site must be kept clean. Continue to brush your teeth as you normally would, but avoid any sutures and do not brush the implant. The antibiotic and saltwater rinses will disinfect the implant itself.

Swelling

After dental implant surgery some amount of swelling is to be expected. To help minimize swelling, try to keep your head elevated and lower your activity level as much as possible. Use ice packs for the first 48 hours and apply continuously, or as frequently as possible to minimize facial swelling.

Wearing your prosthesis or night guard

Partial dentures, flippers, full dentures, retainers, or night guards should not be used for at least 10 days following surgery. If there are any special circumstances, our practice will discuss those with you during your pre-operative consultation.

Smoking

Smoking after dental implant surgery has an increased risk of infection which also increases the risk of dental implants failing to integrate. We recommend that patients do not smoke for a minimum of 2 weeks after dental implant surgery.

Alternative Implant Options

Mini Implants

Unlike traditional implant placement, mini dental implants eliminate the need for surgery. Eliminate the need for a bone graft and expedite your treatment and recovery with mini implants. Anchors can be placed into your jaw by Dr. Frost during one noninvasive visit. Mini implants are most commonly used to stabilize dentures.

All-On-4 Implants

This technique allows a complete set of new teeth to be anchored to your jaw using just four implants. This option is far better than just dentures alone. Traditional dentures may be ill fitting and loosen over time which may cause eating to be difficult. All-On-4 dental implants stimulate the jawbone and will ensure that your smile stays full and healthy and that you are able to continue to enjoy eating all of your favorite foods

Call To Learn More About The Implant Process

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office. Our team of dental professionals would be happy to answer any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants

• What is a dental implant?
• What is the average cost of a dental implant?
• What is the average cost of All-on-4 Dental Implants?
• How long do dental implants last?
• What are the Pros and Cons of dental implants?

Contact Dr. Frost, Rutherford Implant Dentist

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