Restore Your Smile with Dental Implants in Cherry Hill, NJ
We all deserve a smile that is healthy, beautiful, and something to be proud of. When you’re dealing with the effects of missing teeth, it can be hard to feel confident about your appearance or your oral health. At
Haddonfield Dental, our highly experienced and
compassionate doctors offer skilled implant dentistry to help you fully restore the health, function, and beauty of your smile.
CALL US: (856) 857-0400
REQUEST APPOINTMENT
Patients visiting our Cherry Hill office can feel confident knowing that we provide complete dental implant
treatment under one roof. From your detailed consultation and precise implant placement to attaching your
natural-looking restoration,
Dr. Lindsay Wessner,
Dr. Shannon Cole-Ahlo,
Dr. Joseph Ahlo,
Dr. Jonathan Mendia, and
Dr. Julio Espinoza
work together to rejuvenate your smile with implant dentistry.
Looking for a team of enthusiastic dentists and specialists with years of experience restoring smiles and
facial aesthetics? Contact Haddonfield Dental, where the science of dentistry and a passion
for helping others meet the art of rebuilding smiles.
What Is Implant Dentistry?
Implant dentistry refers to the entire process of planning, placing, and restoring
dental implants. It focuses on determining whether you’re a good candidate, safely placing
the implant posts, and restoring them with lifelike crowns, bridges, or dentures. The goals of implant
dentistry are to replace missing teeth, restore function, preserve jawbone density through proper stimulation,
and support long-term oral health.
What Does Implant Dentistry Involve?
Dental implants are a comprehensive solution to missing teeth because they replace both the root and the
visible crown of the tooth. Implant dentistry typically includes four key steps:
-
Consultation
During your consultation,
Dr. Ahlo examines your smile and
reviews your medical and dental history to determine whether you meet the requirements for dental implants.
Patients need enough jawbone volume to support the implant posts, but those with insufficient bone may
benefit from preparatory procedures such as bone grafting. We proudly offer these initial treatments so you
can receive truly comprehensive care in our office.
Patients must also be free of active infection or untreated dental problems. If we detect gum disease,
decay, or other issues, we’ll recommend appropriate treatment before moving forward with implant placement.
Digital imaging and impressions are used to create accurate plans for the ideal position and angle of each
implant.
-
Placement
As an experienced periodontist,
Dr. Ahlo uses modern surgical
techniques and advanced technology to place your implants with precision. To keep you comfortable, we offer
local anesthesia and a range of
sedation options. Your implant post is inserted into the jaw
bone, where it begins to act like a natural tooth root, stimulating healthy bone growth and supporting your
future restoration.
-
Healing
After placement, the surrounding bone and soft tissues need time to heal. During a process called
osseointegration, the bone fuses with the titanium post, creating a stable foundation. This phase
can take several weeks to several months, depending on your individual case.
-
Restoration
Once healing is complete,
we restore your implants with crowns, bridges, or dentures,
depending on how many teeth you’re missing. Our restorations are crafted from high-quality porcelain and
ceramics to look, feel, and function like natural teeth. We recommend the solution that best matches your
goals, budget, and oral health needs.
What Causes Tooth Loss?
Excellent brushing and flossing habits, along with regular dental visits, greatly reduce the risk of tooth
loss. However, even with good care, teeth can still be lost over time. Common causes include:
- Gum (periodontal) disease
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy
- Dental injury or trauma
- Tooth extraction
- Advanced tooth decay
- Smoking or use of tobacco products
- Genetics or family history
Whatever the cause, missing teeth should be replaced to protect your appearance, oral function, and overall
health. Our team can help you determine which tooth-replacement option is best for your smile.
How Do Missing Teeth Affect Me?
Even a single missing tooth can have a big impact. Visually, the gap can make you feel self-conscious, and
multiple missing teeth can change the way your lips and cheeks are supported, leading to a prematurely aged
appearance.
Functionally, missing teeth make it harder to chew comfortably and may affect your speech. When tooth roots
are lost, the underlying jawbone no longer receives the stimulation it needs and gradually shrinks in a
process called resorption.
Many people also notice emotional effects, such as avoiding smiling or feeling less confident in social or
professional situations. Dental implants provide a comprehensive way to address both the functional and
cosmetic consequences of tooth loss.
Understanding the Value of Replacing Missing Teeth
The effects of missing teeth can influence your appearance, your bite, your oral health, and even your
long-term nutrition. Fortunately, there are several implant-supported options for replacing missing teeth:
Implant-Supported Crowns
An implant-supported crown replaces a single missing tooth from root to crown. The crown is attached to one
implant post placed in the jawbone and is ideal when only one tooth is missing in a given area.
Implant-Supported Bridges
A bridge “bridges” the gap left by missing teeth. Instead of relying on neighboring teeth for support,
implant-supported bridges are anchored to two or more implants. This allows us to replace several teeth in a
row without altering healthy adjacent teeth.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Dentures supported by implants are designed to replace many or all of the teeth in an arch. Because they are
securely attached to implant posts, they feel more stable than traditional removable dentures and are less
likely to slip while eating or speaking.
Full-Arch Implant Solutions
Dental implants can also support full-arch options such as “All-on-4” style restorations, allowing many
patients to leave with a new set of non-removable teeth on the same day that implants are placed. These
solutions can dramatically restore function and appearance for those with advanced tooth loss.
CALL US: (856) 857-0400
REQUEST APPOINTMENT
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium posts that act as artificial tooth roots to replace teeth lost due to trauma,
extraction, advanced decay, or severe gum disease. Once the final restoration is attached, implant-supported
teeth are designed to look, feel, and function like natural teeth.
The implant posts are surgically placed in the jaw and are well-tolerated by the body. Over time, they fuse
with the surrounding bone in a process called osseointegration, which helps create a strong, stable
foundation for your new teeth.
The anatomy of a dental implant includes three main parts:
The Post
The post is the portion of the implant that is embedded in the jawbone below the gum line. Made of titanium
and shaped like a small screw, it replaces the natural tooth root and supports the rest of the implant
structure.
The Abutment
After osseointegration is complete, an abutment is attached to the post. This connector piece extends above
the gum line and serves as the attachment point for your crown, bridge, or denture.
The Final Restoration
The final restoration is the visible part of your implant—a crown, bridge, or denture that attaches to the
abutment. These prosthetics are carefully designed to blend with your natural teeth in color and shape and
can be either cemented or screwed into place.
Why Choose Dental Implants to Restore Your Smile?
Dental implants are unique among tooth-replacement options because they replace the entire tooth structure,
not just the visible portion above the gum line. Their benefits go far beyond cosmetics and include:
- Preserving facial volume and appearance
- Helping halt jawbone resorption
- Restoring comfortable chewing and clear speech
- Replacing the full tooth structure from root to crown
- Providing a secure foundation for restorations
- Improving long-term comfort and quality of life
Am I a Good Candidate for Implant Dentistry?
Ideal candidates for dental implants are in good general and oral health, with healthy gums and sufficient
jawbone volume to support the posts. Because implants must fuse with bone and soft tissue, our team evaluates
your entire mouth and may recommend preparatory treatments to help you become a strong candidate.
If needed, we can recommend procedures such as bone grafting, sinus lifts, or gum grafting to improve support
for your implants and increase the likelihood of long-term success.
What Is a Bone Graft?
If your jawbone is too soft or lacks sufficient volume, a bone graft may be recommended before implant
placement. During this procedure, bone from another area of your body—or a specialized bone-grafting
material—is added to the jaw to create a stronger foundation.
Over several months, the graft integrates with your existing bone, building enough volume and density to
safely support dental implants.
Why Is a Sinus Lift Necessary?
A sinus lift, or sinus augmentation, is a surgical procedure used to add bone to the upper jaw in the area of
the molars and premolars. Bone is placed between your jaw and the maxillary sinuses, and the sinus membrane
is gently lifted to make room.
A sinus lift is recommended when there is not enough bone height in the upper jaw or the sinuses sit too
close to the planned implant area. This procedure is performed in our office by our periodontist.
What Is Gum Grafting?
When gum tissue has receded due to periodontal disease or long-standing tooth loss, a gum graft may be needed
to restore healthy tissue around the teeth or future implants. Tissue is typically taken from another area of
your mouth, such as the palate, and placed where support is needed.
Healthy, stable gum tissue is essential for both natural teeth and dental implants. Gum grafting can
significantly improve your chances of successful implant treatment.
Still Have Questions About Implant Dentistry?
When you visit Haddonfield Dental for implant care, we want you to feel fully informed about your options.
Here are a few helpful questions to discuss with our team:
- How much do dental implants cost?
- How much does my insurance cover for dental implants?
- What can I expect during and after implant surgery?
- How long do dental implants last with proper care?
- What are the risks or chances of implant failure?
Contact Our Cherry Hill Practice for Comprehensive Implant Dentistry
If you’re looking for a highly skilled team that considers your needs and goals at every step, we invite you
to contact Haddonfield Dental. Our compassionate doctors are ready to help you regain comfortable function
and achieve a healthy, beautiful smile with dental implants.
CALL US: (856) 857-0400
REQUEST APPOINTMENT