Dental Implants in Wayne, NJ
A missing tooth can affect the way you eat, speak, smile, and feel about your appearance. Dental implants offer a long-term way to replace missing teeth while helping restore both function and a natural-looking smile.
At Aesthetic Smile Design, Gary Edeer, DMD, MAGD brings more than four decades of dental experience together with extensive continuing education in implant dentistry. His approach combines careful case selection, digital treatment planning, restorative experience, and an aesthetic perspective so implant treatment is planned around both long-term function and a natural-looking result.
If you are considering dental implants in Wayne, NJ, learning about your options is the first step toward making a confident decision.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is used to replace the root portion of a missing tooth. The implant is placed into the jawbone and, after appropriate healing, can support a dental restoration designed to replace the visible portion of the tooth.
Because the implant receives support from the jawbone, it can provide a stable foundation for replacing a missing tooth without relying on a removable restoration.
Restore Function
Replacing a missing tooth can make chewing and speaking more comfortable and help restore everyday function.
Restore Appearance
The final restoration can be designed to complement the surrounding teeth and become a natural-looking part of your smile.
Restore Confidence
For many patients, replacing a missing tooth also means feeling more comfortable smiling, speaking, and interacting with others.
Why Replace a Missing Tooth?
A missing tooth can change more than the way your smile looks. Depending on its location, tooth loss may affect chewing, speech, and the way surrounding teeth function together.
Patients may lose teeth because of decay, gum disease, trauma, fracture, failed dental treatment, or other circumstances.
Dental implant treatment may provide an option for restoring the missing tooth while helping preserve the balance and appearance of the smile.
Dental Implant Treatment With an Aesthetic Perspective
Replacing a missing tooth is both a functional and aesthetic decision.
The final restoration becomes part of your smile. Its size, shape, position, proportion, and appearance should work naturally with the teeth around it.
This is especially important when replacing a tooth that is visible when you smile.
At Aesthetic Smile Design, implant dentistry is approached within the context of the patient's overall dental health and appearance. Dr. Edeer's background in aesthetic dentistry allows treatment planning to consider not simply how a tooth is replaced, but how the completed result fits into the entire smile.
Patients who are also exploring broader cosmetic improvements can learn more about cosmetic dentistry in Wayne, NJ or review smile makeover options .
Gary Edeer, DMD, MAGD
Decades of dental experience with extensive advanced education in implant dentistry.
Dr. Edeer earned Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry (MAGD), a designation reflecting a significant commitment to advanced continuing education. Implant dentistry represented a major part of that education, supplemented by additional implant-focused training after dental school.
His implant experience includes single-tooth implants as well as the restorative care involved in multiple-implant cases, implant-supported bridges, and implant-supported overdentures. That combination of surgical understanding and restorative experience helps him plan beyond implant placement to the way the completed teeth will function, look, and be maintained.
Dr. Edeer also believes good implant care includes knowing when a case should involve another specialist. When extensive grafting, sinus procedures, sedation, medical complexity, or other surgical considerations make specialty care more appropriate, he collaborates with oral surgeons or periodontists and can continue the restorative portion of treatment at Aesthetic Smile Design.
Who May Be a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Dental implants can be an appropriate tooth-replacement option for many adults, but treatment should always begin with an individual evaluation.
Factors that may influence whether dental implants are appropriate include:
- The condition of your gums
- The amount and quality of available jawbone
- Your overall health
- Your oral hygiene
- Smoking or tobacco use
- The location of the missing tooth
- The number of teeth being replaced
- Your long-term treatment goals
Some patients may require additional treatment before an implant can be placed. The purpose of a consultation is to evaluate your individual situation and explain the options available to you.
The Dental Implant Process
Every patient is different, but dental implant treatment generally includes several stages.
Consultation and Evaluation
Your treatment begins with a careful evaluation of your teeth, gums, oral health, medical history, and treatment goals. This is also your opportunity to ask questions and understand your alternatives.
3D Treatment Planning
When appropriate, Dr. Edeer uses 3D imaging and digital implant-planning software to evaluate available bone and important anatomy, choose the planned implant size and position, and consider the final restoration before surgery. Digital planning can also be shared with the dental laboratory to create a surgical guide for the planned placement.
Guided Implant Placement or Specialist Collaboration
For appropriate cases, Dr. Edeer can place implants using the treatment plan and surgical guide. If a case requires extensive bone grafting, sinus procedures, sedation, or a level of surgical support better provided in a specialty setting, he may coordinate placement with an oral surgeon or periodontist and continue the restorative care afterward.
Healing and Integration
During healing, the implant integrates with the surrounding bone, helping create a stable foundation for the final restoration.
Final Restoration
After appropriate healing, the final restoration is created with attention to function, appearance, and future serviceability. When clinically appropriate, Dr. Edeer prefers screw-retained implant restorations because they can be removed more directly if the implant or surrounding tissues ever need to be evaluated or serviced.
What Patients Say About Implant Care With Dr. Edeer
Patient experiences are individual, but these Google reviews offer a look at how patients describe Dr. Edeer's communication and implant care.
“Perfect example - I just had the post for an implant inserted. Procedure took a little over an hour. No pain at all, minimal swelling, and I was ‘back to normal’ within 2 days.”— John Park, Google review
“Working with Dr. Edeer on a dental implant. He is excellent at explaining and walking through the process so that I understand all parts of the process.”— Tarah Haedo, Google review
Replacing One or More Missing Teeth
Patients consider implant dentistry for many different reasons.
Some are replacing a single missing tooth. Others may have several missing teeth and want to understand which treatment options could restore comfort, function, and appearance.
There is no single solution that's appropriate for every patient.
A personalized evaluation allows Dr. Edeer to assess your specific needs and discuss the treatment approaches that may be appropriate for your situation.
Dental Implants vs. Other Tooth-Replacement Options
Dental implants are one way to replace missing teeth, but they are not the only option.
Depending on the patient's needs, alternatives may include a traditional dental bridge or removable tooth-replacement solution.
The right choice depends on factors such as the condition of surrounding teeth, available bone, overall oral health, treatment goals, budget, and personal preferences.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost in Wayne, NJ?
There is no universal price for dental implant treatment because treatment needs vary considerably from one patient to another.
Factors that can influence cost include:
- The number of teeth being replaced
- The type of final restoration
- The complexity of the case
- Whether additional procedures are necessary
- The patient's existing oral health
- Insurance benefits when applicable
When comparing implant fees, it's also important to understand exactly what is included in the estimate. Two treatment estimates that appear different may not include the same components of care.
A consultation provides the opportunity to understand both your treatment options and the anticipated investment before deciding how to proceed.
Why Patients Consider Dr. Edeer for Dental Implants
Advanced Implant Education
Implant dentistry has been a significant part of Dr. Edeer's continuing education, alongside the advanced education represented by his MAGD designation.
Surgical + Restorative Perspective
His experience includes implant placement as well as restoring implants with crowns, bridges, and implant-supported overdentures, allowing planning to begin with the finished result in mind.
Digital, Guided Planning
3D imaging, digital planning, and laboratory-fabricated surgical guides can be used when appropriate to plan implant position in relation to available bone and surrounding anatomy.
Thoughtful Case Selection
Dr. Edeer evaluates whether treatment is appropriate for his office and involves surgical specialists when a patient's medical needs or surgical complexity call for additional resources.
Clear Patient Education
Treatment discussions are designed to help patients understand the process, alternatives, and reasons behind recommendations before deciding how to proceed.
Aesthetic Restorative Focus
The final implant restoration is planned as part of the patient's overall smile, with attention to function, proportion, appearance, and long-term maintainability.
Dental Implant Questions
How do I choose a dental implant dentist in Wayne, NJ?
Consider the dentist's implant-specific education and experience, approach to treatment planning, restorative knowledge, technology, case-selection philosophy, and willingness to involve specialists when appropriate. At Aesthetic Smile Design, Dr. Edeer combines advanced implant education, digital planning, restorative experience, and an aesthetic perspective while evaluating each case individually.
Can dental implants look like natural teeth?
The restoration supported by the implant can be designed to complement surrounding teeth in shape, size, proportion, and appearance. This is one reason aesthetic planning is an important part of implant treatment.
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants are designed as a long-term tooth-replacement option. Their longevity can be influenced by oral hygiene, gum health, overall health, habits such as smoking, regular dental care, and other individual factors.
What if I do not have enough bone for an implant?
Having limited bone does not automatically mean implant treatment is impossible. An evaluation can determine the amount of available bone and whether additional procedures or alternative treatment should be considered.
Are dental implants painful?
Patient experiences vary. Your dentist can explain what to expect during treatment, discuss comfort options, and provide instructions for the healing period.
How much are dental implants in Wayne, NJ?
Cost depends on the number of teeth being replaced, the type of restoration, the complexity of treatment, and whether additional procedures are necessary. A consultation allows the practice to provide information based on your specific treatment needs.
Are dental implants right for everyone?
No. Candidacy depends on oral health, available bone, overall health, lifestyle factors, and treatment goals. An individual examination is necessary to determine whether implant treatment may be appropriate.
Considering Dental Implants in Wayne, NJ?
If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to learn whether dental implants may be appropriate for you, schedule a consultation with Gary Edeer, DMD, MAGD at Aesthetic Smile Design.
Call (973) 397-5972Individual treatment recommendations can only be made after an appropriate dental evaluation.