Dental implants are artificial tooth replacements used to counter tooth loss. In years past, your main options for replacing a missing tooth were dentures and bridges. Today, you have another option, dental implants.

Dental Implants – Implant Dentistry in Bernardsville
How Dental Implants Work
A dental implant is a tiny, durable post that acts as the root of your tooth. It is carefully implanted into your upper or lower jawbone. Your surrounding tissue and bone will then grow naturally around the peg, holding the implant permanently in place.
Teeth may be lost for a variety of reasons. The most common include:
- Tooth decay
- Root canal failure
- Gum disease
- Trauma to the mouth
- Excessive wear and tear
- Congenital defects
Dental implants are used to replace the root of your natural tooth or to hold other types of restorations in place, including dentures, bridges, partials and dental crowns.
Implant Dentistry Benefits
Dental implants are extremely durable, much more so than dentures or partials alone. Using dental implants to hold your dentures or partials in place, you will seldom experience the embarrassing clicking or popping sound dentures can make when they are not 100% secured. By increasing stability, dental implants also help reduce gum tissue irritation.
Advances in the procedure, such as the development of a narrower “mini” implant, are allowing more people than ever before to benefit from this procedure. And, if properly maintained, these resilient implants can last a lifetime. Caring for an implant is the same as caring for your natural teeth. By regularly flossing, brushing, and scheduling routine checkups, you can ensure the longevity of your implants.
Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
You may be a candidate for implant dentistry if you:
- Have sufficient jawbone: Your jawbone must be high and wide enough to fit the implant. A bone graft may be recommended to add height and width to your jawbone.
- Have dense enough jawbone: Your jaw is made of hard and soft bone marrow. You must have enough hard bone marrow to hold the implant firmly in place.
- Have healthy gums: Healthy gums protect your jawbone and surrounding teeth from becoming infected. Your gums must also be able to heal properly around the implant, protecting your implant and helping to secure it.
We offer sedation dentistry with oral and intravenous (IV) sedation as well as nitrous oxide to ensure your maximum comfort. At Aesthetic Dentistry of Bernardsville, there is a board-certified anesthesiologist on hand to make sure you are safe and adequately sedated.
If you are missing one or more teeth and desire a more secure fix than dentures alone, please contact Aesthetic Dentistry of Bernardsville by phone at (908) 888-9858 or request an appointment. Dr. Patti Swaintek-Lamb would be happy to answer your questions about dental implants and provide guidance on this and other tooth replacement options. You should never be embarrassed to chew or smile. Aesthetic Dentistry of Bernardsville serves patients from Bernardsville, Morristown, Basking Ridge, Mendham, Chester, Far Hills, and nearby areas in New Jersey.