Reclaim Your Smile & Confidence: A Complete Guide to Dental Implants
June 04, 2025
Losing a tooth can be a difficult experience, affecting not only your oral health but also your self-esteem. Dental implants offer a permanent solution to restore your smile and regain the confidence to eat, speak, and laugh freely.
For missing teeth, dentists often recommend dental implants, not dentures or bridges. This permanent option requires surgery but once the process is complete, the results can be life-changing. Our expert explains what to know about implants when considering this option.
“Dental implants look, feel and function like a regular tooth,” says Jodi Wolf, D.D.S., M.D., an oral and maxillofacial surgeon at Hackensack University Medical Center. “The goal is to restore the ability to chew and speak the way you did with your natural teeth.”
Dr. Wolf prefers implants over bridges in most situations because they don’t require drilling into adjacent healthy teeth.
What Are Dental Implants Made Of?
Dental implants have three separate parts, placed by oral surgeons and general dentists.
- A post, which an oral surgeon screws into the jaw bone, replaces the root of a tooth.
- An abutment, which screws into the post, extends out from the gums.
- A crown, which attaches to the abutment, and looks and functions like a real tooth.
Dental implants are usually made of titanium. Occasionally, they’re made of ceramic. Implants can be used to replace one missing tooth or many teeth.
“About 75 percent of implants are single teeth,” Dr. Wolf says. “The other 25 percent of people get multiple implants to restore their whole mouth.”
Are Dental Implants Right for You?
Losing a tooth can be a deeply personal experience, impacting not only your oral health but also your self-confidence. If you're living with missing teeth, you might feel self-conscious about your smile or struggle with everyday activities like eating and speaking. Dental implants offer a permanent solution that can significantly improve your quality of life, both physically and emotionally.
Who Are Good Candidates for Dental Implants?
Dental implants are generally available to adults who have lost one or more teeth. Adults who have lost one or more teeth due to various reasons, including:
- Trauma to a tooth or teeth
- Tooth loss due to cavities
- Cracked teeth
- Damage caused by teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Bone loss around the teeth (periodontal disease)
For many, regaining a complete smile can be a transformative experience, boosting self-esteem and allowing you to feel more comfortable and confident in social situations.
When Might Implants Not Be Ideal?
It's important to note that children and young adults generally cannot receive dental implants until they reach around 18, after their jawbones have fully developed. This ensures the implants have a stable foundation for long-term success.
While dental implants are a highly successful procedure for most, certain factors can influence their effectiveness. These include:
- Smoking or vaping: These habits significantly reduce the success rate of implants due to their negative impact on healing and bone health.
- Poorly controlled diabetes: Diabetes can impair healing and increase the risk of infection.
- Previous radiation therapy to the head and neck: Radiation can affect bone density and healing capacity.
“For a patient who doesn’t smoke or have diabetes, the success rate is 95 percent,” Dr. Wolf says. “For patients who smoke or have poorly controlled diabetes, the success rate can decrease as much as 50 percent.”
It's important to have an open and honest conversation with your dentist or oral surgeon to determine if dental implants are the right choice for you. They can assess your individual circumstances, address any concerns you may have, and help you make an informed decision that supports both your oral health and your overall well-being. Don't hesitate to discuss your emotional well-being as part of this conversation, as your comfort and confidence are key factors in achieving a successful outcome.
What to Expect With Dental Implants
Deciding to get dental implants is a significant step towards restoring your smile and confidence. Understanding the process and timeline can help you prepare for what lies ahead.
Initial Steps and the Waiting Period
If you've decided to move forward with dental implants, the first step may involve extracting any remaining teeth that will be replaced by the implants. After the extraction, a healing period of approximately three months is typically required. This allows your jawbone sufficient time to heal and regenerate before the implant can be placed.
We understand that waiting for three months can be challenging. It's natural to feel eager to complete the process and enjoy the benefits of your new smile. During this time, your dentist may offer temporary solutions to address any cosmetic concerns or functional issues related to missing teeth. They can also provide guidance and support to help you manage any discomfort or anxiety you might experience during the waiting period. Remember, this healing phase is crucial for the long-term success of your implants.
Assessment and Planning
Once your jawbone has healed sufficiently, your oral surgeon will perform a comprehensive assessment, which usually includes a CT scan. This scan provides detailed images of your jawbone, allowing the surgeon to evaluate its density and structure. A strong, healthy jawbone is essential for providing a stable foundation for the implants. If your bone density is found to be insufficient, your surgeon will discuss various options with you, such as bone grafting procedures, to ensure the success of your implants.
Implantation Surgery
You can select local anesthesia or complete sedation for the 30-minute procedure. Local anesthesia numbs the area where the surgery takes place but allows you to be awake and alert. Sedation is like being asleep for the entire procedure. The oral surgeon will carefully create a small opening in your jawbone to precisely place the implant.
Recovery
To ensure proper healing and prevent infection, you'll be prescribed antibiotics after the surgery. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage any discomfort you may experience. After approximately three months, the implant will have fused securely with your jawbone. Your general dentist will then take an impression of your teeth to create a custom abutment and crown. These will be carefully attached to the implant, and your dentist will make any final adjustments to ensure a comfortable bite and a natural-looking smile.
Dental implants are designed to be a permanent solution, offering a stable and lasting foundation for your replacement teeth. By following a good oral hygiene routine and scheduling regular visits with your dentist, you can ensure the long-term success of your implants.
Some insurance companies cover part of the cost.
“Every patient’s insurance is different,” Dr. Wolf says. “We work with medical and dental insurances to maximize coverage.”
Dental implants offer a transformative solution for missing teeth, restoring both function and confidence. If you're considering this life-changing procedure, consult with a qualified dental professional to determine if implants are the right choice for you.
Next Steps & Resources:
- Meet our source: Jodi Wolf, D.D.S., M.D.
- Make an appointment with an oral surgeon near you or call 800-822-8905.
- Learn more about surgical services at Hackensack Meridian Health.
The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.
