At Lori M. Nasif D.M.D., we place dental implants in patients for a variety of reasons. One of the key, qualifying factors is health. If you have any other oral health problems, these will need to be addressed first. Since this is a surgical procedure, it is important to start the process with healthy teeth and gums. The other qualifying factor is bone density. We will take X-rays in our Fort Lee dental office to determine if your bone is dense enough for secure implant placement. If it is not, we can discuss other options such as bone grafts.

That depends on how many implants you are having placed. It can take up to an hour to place each metal implant. This is why if you are having a lot of teeth replaced, you may need to visit us several times. Once the metal post has been implanted, you will need to wait a couple of months for the process of osseointegration to take place. This is where the metal and bone fuse together to provide a sturdy, synthetic root system for your new tooth. You will not feel anything while this is taking place but waiting is important to ensure that your final tooth is as durable as a natural one would be. When ready, we will attach the new crown (tooth) to an abutment that is secured to your implant. This appointment will be much shorter.

When you are scheduled for the surgical portion of the procedure, you will need to take a couple of days off of work. Ideally, we recommend that you visit our dental office at the end of the week so that you can recover over the weekend. Your gums will be sensitive and sore for a few days but if you have the procedure on Thursday, you should be highly functional at work on Monday. As for taking care of children, you can certainly do so after the procedure but we do recommend getting some rest the day of so that your body can focus on recovery.

Initially, you will have the pre-operative expense of examinations and X-rays, which most insurance companies will cover. The actual procedure will have the expense of placing the implant and the anesthesia that is used to keep you comfortable. Finally, there is a cost associated with creating and placing the tooth portion of the implant (dental crown). We can give you an exact breakdown of the cost, something that you should request from every dentist.

Some people will use the terms "mini-implants" and "implant supported dentures" interchangeably. While there are times where they are accomplishing the same thing, this is not always the case. A mini-implant is a titanium screw just like you would expect to see with a traditional implant. The difference is that it is much smaller. This makes it ideal for those suffering from a lack of bone density. Traditional implants require significant density since the implant itself is so long. This is not the case with mini-implants, making them a better solution for someone who has worn dentures for years and has suffered resorption as a result.

Unless you can afford to pay for the procedure in cash, it is important to visit a dentist that offers financing solutions or payment plans since this is a more costly, restorative solution.