Options for Missing Teeth

in Manalapan, NJ

If you are missing teeth, or have failing / non restorable teeth that will require extraction, there are several restorative options that may be appropriate to restore your smile both esthetically and functionally.

DENTAL IMPLANTS BRIDGES REMOVABLE PARTIAL / FULL DENTURES

DENTAL IMPLANTS

Restoration with dental implants is perhaps one of the most predictable and satisfying treatment alternatives available for patients today! Implant restorations may be used to for single or multiple teeth, or even the complete dentition. Options may consist of restorations that are cemented and/or screw-retained (fixed) or can be taken in and out of the mouth retained with various types of attachments (removable) . Providing coordinated treatment together with a dental surgical specialist and best implant dentist Manalapan NJ , Dr. Ciuffreda is able to replace non-restorable or missing teeth with state-of-the-art implant technology that has an outstanding long-term success rate.

There are numerous benefits to dental implants :

- Restoration of dental implants is routinely an extremely comfortable stage of treatment, almost never

requiring dental anesthesia (i.e. “novocaine”).
- In comparison to the significant reduction of tooth structure that would need to be removed from adjacent

teeth for a bridge, neighboring teeth do not require any drilling or preparation for an implant restoration.
- The surgical component of the implant contributes to the preservation of bone in the area by acting as an

“artificial root”. Bone in the jaw will otherwise be lost over time without forces acting on it (through a tooth or

an implant). Such loss of bone can become a cosmetic or functional concern.
- Implant components consist of all non-organic components, such as titanium and porcelain. This of course

means that implants are not subject to decay (getting a cavity).
- Implants have an outstanding long-term success rate, with some studies reporting as high as 98%.
- Implants more closely duplicate our natural biology of having individual teeth supported by a root-type

structure, as compared with a bridge where two or more teeth are joined together with a connected tooth or

teeth in the middle.

The typical procedure for single tooth dental implant restoration:

Following the extraction of the non-restorable tooth – with either local anesthesia (“nocovaine”) or under IV conscious sedation – a titanium implant (“artificial root”) will be gently and comfortably placed into the upper or lower jaw by a dental surgical specialist. Generally within 3-4 months the implant will have successfully integrated with the bone and is now ready for Dr. Ciuffreda to begin restoration.

The restoration phase is almost always extremely comfortable, almost never even requires a numbing injection, nor is any drilling necessary! At the initial restorative visit , Dr. Ciuffreda will gently remove a cover screw, take some impressions, and replace the cover screw. At the final appointment, the cover screw is again comfortably removed, the implant abutment (or “post”) is placed, and a dental x-ray is taken to be sure it is positioned perfectly. The abutment (‘post”) and crown are then placed. While the abutment is always screw retained, the implant crown may either be cemented to the abutment or fabricated in conjunction with the abutment to be entirely screw retained.

Dr. Ciuffreda is highly experienced in dental implant restoration, encompassing single tooth cases to complete upper and lower full mouth implant restorations / reconstructions.

BRIDGES

Bridges are one treatment option for the restoration of missing teeth (or failing teeth that require extraction) and are comprised of multiple crowns joined together. Teeth on either side of the space are prepared (reduced) which serve as the anchoring points for the restoration. As with single crowns, bridges are most often fabricated of either special all-porcelain materials (such as zirconia) or porcelain fused over high gold content metal (PFM).

All-porcelain bridges typically provide the best cosmetic result as they allow for a degree of translucency as with natural tooth structure, and also eliminate the possibility of the “dark line” effect at the gum line that may sometimes occur with PFM bridges. . Dr. Ciuffreda reviews an x-ray of all bridges prior to final placement and cementation to ensure that they are perfectly fitting and provide the best possible seal to the underlying tooth structure. Bridges provide an esthetically pleasing, strong and functional solution to restore spaces due to tooth loss.

REMOVABLE PARTIAL / FULL DENTURES

Whenever advisable, Dr. Ciuffreda definitely prefers fixed (that is, non-removable) treatment options such as crowns, bridges and fixed implant restorations because of the superior chewing ability that they provide. However, there are instances where partial or full dentures are indicated clinically, such as if there is inadequate bone for a surgeon to place implants or too few remaining good support teeth for a bridge. Additionally, full or partial dentures may provide a less expensive financial alternative, or they may be used as an interim (temporary / transitional) restoration as part of your overall case.

Get the beautiful, healthy smile you deserve.

Call us today at 732-792-0605 and see how Dr. Ciuffreda

can enhance your Remarkable Grin.